In 1993 lung-cancer became the most major cause of death for Japanese males. The number of lungcancer patients has been increasng in the country and is expected to reach 80, 000 by the year 2000, making it urgent to establish effective cures for the disease. The goal of this symposium is to report the situation regarding lung-cancer treatment in Japan.
First, an analysis of 35, 000 cases by the National Chest Hospital Study Group for Lung-Cancer shows that 5 years survival rate is on the increase and is currtentry about 22%. This is largery due to a significant improvement in the resected cases, whose survival rate is 47% while that of the non resected cases remains as low as 4.7%.
Second, mass survey has made an invaluable contribution to detection of early lung-cancer. With introduction of CT scanners to the field over the past few years, detection rate of stage I patients reportedly jumped from 50% to 80%.
Third, the results of surgical resection to aged patients in stage I have turned out to be as favorable as those of younger patients.
Fourth, indication of the thoracoscopic surgery for lung-cancer was expanding still further.
Next, althouh simultaneous employment of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is known to be effective, the equipments installed in national hospital is not enough for this purpose.
Last, palliative care for the terminal stage patients was also discussed.
In summary, issues around lung-cancer treatment in Japan have been briefly discussed at this symposium, namely an analysis of accumulated cases, mass screening, clinical evaluation of resected cases, thoracoscopic surgery, the role of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and palliative cares.
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