Treatment Complication Rates In Continued Smokers Vs Quitters After A Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer: A Cohort Study

Introduction: We have recently shown that quitting smoking AFTER a diagnosis of lung cancer is associated with a reduction in mortality by 17% at 1 year(1). Our multi-site study (NCT01192256) now reports treatment complication rates in Continued Smokers versus Quitters. Methods: Prospective, observational cohort study of 1134 UK patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We recorded self-reported smoking status, validated with eCO(ppm) readings, at baseline and at each follow-up visit until death for up to 2 years. Treatment complications were noted by free text, if reported by the patient (e.g. diarrhoea, vomiting) or by the clinical team (e.g post-op wound infection, chemotherapy induced neutropenia, radiation pneumonitis etc). They were reviewed by a study clinician blinded to smoking status but were not graded according to severity. Data was recorded on study case report forms and confirmed from hospital databases. Missing data was removed and analysed with STATA. Results: 290 (25.6%) were smokers at baseline and 84 (29%) of these quit .At 1month, Quitters had fewer treatment complications than those who continued to smoke (p=0.03). At 6months (p=0.76) \u0026 12months (p=1.00) there were no differences in complication rates between quitters and continued smokers. Conclusions: Quitting smoking after a diagnosis is associated with fewer complications at month 1. We are following outcomes with larger numbers and grouping treatment-related-complications into ‘mild, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ according to standard definitions as well as noting whether these complications necessitated treatment delays or treatment changes. 1. Lung Cancer, 2019, Vol.129, p.1