RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the malignant tumour with the highest mortality in the Czech Republic as well as in highly developed countries of the world. The objective of the present study in an account on the incidence, diagnosis, treatment and mortality in the Czech Republic, at the Pneumological Clinic and the population in the district. METHODS AND RESULTS: The incidence and mortality rate from lung cancer increased during the past twenty years in men by 12% and declined by 2% resp. In women both indicators are steadily rising by 100 and 76% resp. The highest values of incidence and mortality in men were recorded at the end of the seventies and beginning of the eighties. During the investigation period a reduction of the age of those who died from lung cancer-men and women -was found, the increase in the group of 35-49-year-olds is 51% in men and 159% in women. As to histological types, spinocellular carcinoma is still the most frequent type, gradually the small cell type and adenocarcinoma are increasing in numbers. The authors investigated also differences in the epidemiological situation as regards lung cancer in the southern and northern Czech regions and compared the position in this country with that in other European countries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some positive signals (decline of the lung cancer incidence in men), lung cancer still remains a serious medical and social problem. An alarming feature is in particular the linear rise of lung cancer incidence in women and the shift of deaths from this disease to younger age groups.