A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED LUNG CANCER AND IMPACT ON SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT IN PALLIATIVE CARE
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Keywords
Advanced lung cancer, histopathology, palliative care, symptom management, adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer, pain, dyspnea
Abstract
Background: Lung cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent causes of cancer-related deaths globally, particularly in its advanced stages. With limited curative options at late stages, the focus often shifts to symptom relief and improving the quality of life through palliative care. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the histopathological findings in patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and examine how these findings correlate with the burden of symptoms and the effectiveness of symptom management strategies in a palliative care setting. By identifying key histopathological subtypes and linking them to specific symptom profiles, we seek to provide insights that can guide personalized care for patients in the palliative phase of treatment.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to explore the histopathological subtypes of advanced lung cancer in a cohort of 110 patients and determine the implications of these subtypes on symptom burden and management in palliative care. We aim to assess the variability in symptom severity, such as pain, dyspnea, and fatigue, across different histopathological types and evaluate the responsiveness of these symptoms to commonly used palliative interventions.
Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective observational analysis of 110 patients diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer (Stage IIIb and IV) who were receiving palliative care. All patients included in the study had a confirmed histopathological diagnosis and were being treated in a specialized oncology unit. Data were collected from patient medical records, focusing on demographics, histopathological lung cancer subtypes (including adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer), and symptom burden such as pain, dyspnea, and fatigue.
Results: The study identified adenocarcinoma as the most prevalent histopathological subtype, accounting for 50% of the patient cohort (55 out of 110), followed by squamous cell carcinoma in 27% (30 patients) and small cell lung cancer in 23% (25 patients). Regarding symptom burden, 85% of patients experienced moderate to severe dyspnea, making it the most common symptom, followed by chronic pain reported by 70% of patients, and fatigue, which affected 65% of the cohort. When examining the impact of histopathology on symptom management, small cell lung cancer patients exhibited more severe dyspnea and showed less responsiveness to standard symptom management strategies, often requiring more intensive interventions. Patients with adenocarcinoma demonstrated better pain control, with 75% reporting significant improvement in pain symptoms after opioid management, whereas only 60% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma achieved similar pain relief.
Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of considering histopathological findings when managing symptoms in patients with advanced lung cancer. The differences in symptom burden and response to palliative care strategies among patients with adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer indicate the need for individualized care plans.
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Dr Fawad Hussain
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Niazi Medical & Dental College, Sargodha - Pakistan
Dr Fareeha Naseer Syed
Assistant Professor of Pathology, CMH Multan Institute of Medical Sciences, Multan - Pakistan
Dr Bushra Aslam
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Independent Medical College Faisalabad - Pakistan
Dr Attya Zaheer
Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore - Pakistan
Dr Summyia Sadia
Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Sargodha Medical College, Sargodha - Pakistan
Dr Rao Salman Aziz
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Rashid Latif Medical & Dental College, Lahore - Pakistan