Changing trends in incidence of lung cancer by histological type in Montenegro

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasms, as well as the most common cause of death cancer. Most lung cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, small cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas. OBJECTIVE: Examining changes in trends of lung cancer incidence in Montenegro by histological type during a 15-year period, from 1997 to 2011. METHODS: During the study period, histopathological confirmation was obtained for all primary lung cancer cases in the only hospital for lung diseases in the country. Based on the data from medical records, patients were classified by time period, sex, age groups and smoking history. Descriptive method was used. RESULTS: Ratio between incidences of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma changes in males, with a significant increase in the incidence rate of adenocarcinoma and drop in the rate of squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.001). In addition, statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the incidence of NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) and an increase in the incidence of SCLC (small cell lung cancer) was found. A statistically significant increase in linear trend in the incidence of small cell carcinoma was noted in females (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Incidence rates of adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma have increased during the study period.