Prognostic Factors in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Patient Characteristics and Type of Chemotherapy

Eleven prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed in 270 newly diagnosed patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer including age, sex, performance status, histology, stage, smoking status, hemoglobin level, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), weight loss >5% in 3 months preceding therapy, number of involved organs, and type of first-line chemotherapy. Response rate was 35.6%, and median survival was 8.2 months (95% CI, 7.8 to 8.7) for the whole group. Age ≤60 years ( P = .016), FEV1 ≥ 2L ( P = .03), and the use of platinum/docetaxel ( P < .0001) were significantly associated with an improved survival. Histology did not affect outcome in the absence of targeted therapies.