Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Therapeutic and Evolutionary Aspects in Cote d’Ivoire

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. They are known to be of poor prognosis, despite a better understanding of bronchial oncogenesis. This descriptive retrospective study carried out over three years (January 2013 to December 31st, 2016) at the Oncology Department of the Treichville University Hospital in Abidjan was aimed to assess the efficacy of new treatments for NSCLC in Cote d’Ivoire and to specify their benefit in terms of quality of life, comfort and overall survival. This 77 patients study, found that NSCLC, the most frequent of which is squamous cell carcinoma, occurs in relatively young subjects, smokers (91%) diagnosed at a locally advanced or metastatic stage (89%). Cisplatin base multi-drug chemotherapy was mostly used (71%). Combined all treatments, there was a significant clinical gain. However, no complete response was observed. Hematological and digestive toxicities were seen in more than 30% of cases. Overall survival was of 9 months on average. This study is an advocate to optimize primary prevention policies for a cancer with poor prognosis despite the development of new treatments such as target therapies.