Gender difference in age, risk factors and histological characteristics of lung cancer patients presented to the respiratory unit of Teaching Hospital Kandy

Background In Sri Lanka lung cancer is rare among females with an incidence of 3 per 100000 population compared to males which is 12 per 100000. Objective To describe the gender differences in age, risk factors and histological characteristics of lung cancer patients. Methods The study was carried out in the Respiratory Unit of the Teaching Hospital Kandy from 30/4/2010 to 31/3/2011. Consecutive patients with histologically proven lung cancer were recruited. Age at presentation and risk factors were documented and males and females were compared using Chi square statistics and Fishers Exact test.p value Results There were 12(19.3%) female and 50 (80.7%) male patients. Mean age of males was 61 (SD 8.8) and females was 57 (SD 13.7).Four (8.0%) males and 5 (41.6%) females were below the age of 50 [Chi-6.33, p=0.011]. Forty one (82%) males and one female (8.3%) were active smokers [Chi = 110,p Conclusions Female lung cancer patients were younger compared to males. Histological types and risk factors were differrent between 2 groups.Whether age and histological difference are related to possible risk factor difference needs further investigation.