       Document 0004
 DOCN  M9630004
 TI    [Pulmonary carcinoma nowadays: notes on epidemiology, primary
       prevention, and therapeutic planning (editorial)]
 DT    9603
 AU    Motta G
 SO    Ann Ital Chir. 1995 May-Jun;66(3):301-10. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96060479
 AB    Among the solid malignancies, lung cancer is today the most common
       cancer in the world (850,000 new cases during 1990). Moreover, with an
       estimated increase of about 5 percent a year, it now represents the
       first cause of mortality for cancer in both sexes. The evidence of a
       close relationship between lung cancer and cigarette smoking was first
       pointed out by E. Graham in 1950. Since then, the responsibility of
       active cigarette smoking in determining lung cancer as well as that of
       nicotine causing addictiveness, have been assessed clearly. Nevertheless
       primary prevention, mainly through the campaign against cigarette
       smoking, has always faced great difficulties because it clashes with the
       economic power and interests of tobacco companies. Moreover the
       epidemiologic trends show a progressive increase of the disease with a
       silent epidemic-like worldwide diffusion, in close similarity to AIDS.
       So, more than 5 million new cases a year of lung cancer are expected to
       appear at the beginning of 2000. The primary prevention against the
       major factor of risk-the cigarette-is mainly based, in developed
       countries, through the following official measures: i) a heavy taxation
       on the finished goods; ii) the conversion of the tobacco growing to
       other crops and iii) the package-based health information for all
       tobacco products. On the other side, while waiting for new effective
       chemoprevention methods, the need of getting a true early clinical
       diagnosis of tumor is emphasised. Only by this means is it indeed
       possible to improve the rate of cure through performing conventional
       resections of those cancers which could be discovered in still limited
       clinical stage. In the same time, a strong effort for radically
       operating Stage III locally advanced cancers, is also attempted through
       the newer tracheobronchoplastic procedures as well as the other over
       extended resections done directly in the mediastinal area. The
       neoadjuvant radio and/or chemotherapy combined treatments preceding
       surgery are also of great clinical interest. Finally the active
       palliative support aimed at improving the quality of life in patients
       affected by incurable tumors, represents a fast developing clinical
       project where a great ethical meaning is pre-eminent above all.
 DE    English Abstract  Human  *Lung
       Neoplasms/EPIDEMIOLOGY/ETIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/  THERAPY  Quality
       of Life  Risk Factors  Smoking  EDITORIAL  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

