Incidence, management, and outcome of lung cancer in patients with long-term oxygen therapy.

Background: Here, we aimed to assess the specific features of lung cancer in patients with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), and compare their outcomes with patients suffering from lung cancer without LTOT.

Methods: This retrospective, case-controlled study included patients with LTOT and an incident diagnosis of lung cancer treated at Rouen University Hospital.

Results: Out of 2201 patients with LTOT, 31 were diagnosed with lung cancer. Among 24 patients with proven lung cancer, the most frequent histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 12/24, 50%). Active treatment of any type was given in 19/31 (61%) and 41/62 (66%) of patients in the LTOT and control groups, respectively (p = 0.83). In the LTOT group, median survival was 38 days with best supportive care and 462 days with active treatment (p = 0.003). However, when adjusting on performance status and disease stage, LTOT was not significantly associated with a worse outcome. Hazard ratio (HR): 1.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87 to 2.81) (p = 0.137). Administration of any treatment was associated with a better prognostic: HR: 0.35 (95% CI: 0.19 to 0.66). Both groups had a similar treatment safety profile.

Conclusion: Incidence of lung cancer in patients with LTOT was comparable to the general population. The proportion of LTOT patients who received active treatment was similar to controls, and overall survival did not differ from controls in a multivariate analysis. Although reaching a histological diagnosis may be challenging in LTOT patients, the efficacy and safety of the management strategies of lung cancer seem preserved.