Lung cancer in COPD patients included in a telemonitoring program (TELEPOC)

Introduction: Lung cáncer (LC) incidence is higher in COPD patients. The GOLD 2022 guideline recommends screening in risk patients with airflow obstruction and/or emphysema. Since 2015 we have a telemonitoring program for advanced COPD patients with multiple hospital admissions called TELEPOC. The objective is to analyze the incidence of LC diagnosis in COPD patients included in this program. Methods: Retrospective and cross-sectional study between 2015 and 2020. We studied incidence of LC in TELEPOC patients since their inclusion. Patients with previous diagnosis of LC were excluded. We analyzed demographic and functional variables, smoking habit, scales, exacerbations with/without admission and signs of emphysema and/or bronchiectasis on CT. In the group of LC, histological, staging, received treatment and mortality variables were analyzed. Results: 93 patients. 3 excluded due to previous diagnosis of LC. 13 (14%) cases were diagnosed of LC. The results and characteristics of the patients with and without LC are shown in tables 1, 2 and 3. Statistically significant differences were found in the pack-years index, treatment with macrolides and a tendency towards significance in DLCO%. Histological diagnosis was confirmed in 38%, 46% was stage I, and mortality of 53%. In survivor group (6/13), 83% received treatment with curative intention, being SBRT the treatment received. Conclusions: 1. The high incidence of LC in TELEPOC program patients confirms the recommendation of including these patients in the screening program. 2. SBRT seems to be an acceptable therapeutic alternative in this group of patients.