Malign Chest Tumors

Abstract

Objectives: In our long-time practice we have observed occasional changes in the clinical course of malign diseases of chest. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina was in war from 1992 to 1995, we observed more of significant changes in the course and behavior of malign tumors of that area.

Patients and methods: 532 patients with operated malign tumors of chest in the periods 1988 - 1991 and 1998 - 2001 are processed and 33 patients with operated lung carcinoma in the period 1992 through 1995. Number, localization, patho-histological findings, and TNM classification were analyzed.

Results: Number of operated malign tumors of chest increased in the post war period (318-214). Number of operated malign tumors of pleura, chest wall, and mediastinum significantly increased. Patho-histological findings show slight tum towards more malign forms. During the war period, operated lung carcinomas shoved extremely rapid growth of primary tumor.

Conclusions: The aforementioned results are evident. But what is the cause of such changes: weapons of war, diet disorder, psychological stress? The task is to scientifically research all the elements that could come into consideration.

Long time experience in monitoring patients with malign tumors of chest points us to periodic differences in many elements related to that disease. While the weight loss was regularly evident earlier (10-15 kg) in the last 15 years it is considerably lower or completely absent. In the last 10 years we discover differences in some other elements of development and form of malign tumors of chest.

In the period from 1992 to 1995 our country, B&H, has been exposed to massive use of Instruments of war: projectiles of various gauges and other weaponry, with quantitative and qualitative reduction of groceries, consumption of canned food, and great psychological stresses.

In this paper we analyze the matter of malign diseases of chest operated at the Clinic of Thoracic Surgery KCUS in the periods of 4 years before the war, the war period, and 4 years after the war. Processed are: number of cases of malign diseases of chest, surgical findings of malign lung tumors, and staging of lung carcinomas.