Female lung cancer in Marrakech

Background: To evaluate the epidemiological aspect of lung cancer in women in Marrakech city in Morocco. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted between 2003 and 2009 in the Department of Oncology-Radiotherapy, University Hospital Mohamed VI Marrakech. Results: Twenty nine women with lung cancer were unrolled (9% of all lung cancer). The average age was 55.7 ± 12 years. Only twenty percent of our patients were smokers while 38% reported a greater or lesser exposure to passive smoking. Ninety percent of patients were housewives and 62% were from rural areas and all reported massive exposure to smoke from cooking fuels which was mainly charcoal. Squamous cell carcinoma represents 67% of cases. Tumors were diagnosed at advanced stages II/IV in 81% of cases. Eight patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by radio-chemotherapy combination and palliative chemotherapy has been indicated in twelve patients. Nine patients received best supportive care. Average follow-up was of twelve months. Fourteen patients were lost to follow-up. Among fifteen evaluable patients, response was noted in seven patients, stabilization in four patients and progression in four patients. Conclusion: Female lung cancer is a relatively rare condition in Marrakech, Morocco. Although the role of smoking in the pathogenesis of lung cancer is clearly established; there are other risk factors including hormones that make women more susceptible to carcinogens of tobacco. Other geographical and environmental factors could be incriminated including domestic smoke exposure especially in our context.