Background and purpose: The incidence and mortality of lung cancer ranked first in China. This study aimed to describe lung cancer survival in Shanghai

and provide background information for cancer prevention and treatment evaluation. Methods: Data of lung cancer cases diagnosed during 2002-2006

follow-up information and death report were collected from Shanghai Cancer Registry. Life table method and Ederer Ⅱ were used to calculate observed survival (OS) and relative survival (RS) respectively. Related demographic characteristics and status were also analyzed to present the survival situations of the lung cancer survivors in Shanghai. Results: In this study

41 802 lung cancer cases were included in analysis. The 5-year OS and RS for lung cancer were 13.75% and 20.23% respectively

and median survival time was 318 days. Survival rate was higher among females than males

with the 5-year OS of 15.49% and 13.00% respectively. The 5-year OS was higher among suburban residents (14.25%) than urban residents (13.23%). Survival rates decreased with increasing age and advanced stage. Patients aged 0-34 had a 5-year OS of 38.21%

while patients aged above 75 had a 5-year OS of 5.48%. Patients diagnosed with stage Ⅰ had a 5-year OS of 55.47%

while patients diagnosed with stage Ⅳ had a 5-year OS of 5.27%. Survival of lung cancer patients differed by tumor histological subtype. The 5-year OS of squamous lung cancer (24.40%) was higher than other histological types

followed by adenocarcinoma (22.26%)

large cell (20.27%) and small cell lung cancer (12.22%). From 1972-1976 to 2002-2006

the 5-year OS of urban male patients increased from 6.8% to 12.4%

and 5-year OS of urban female patients increased from 7.3% to 14.9%. Analysis of RS gave the similar results. Conclusion: During the past 30 years

survival rate of lung cancer patients in Shanghai improved steadily

and the survival condition is above average among different countries and areas. However

survival rate of lung cancer is still low compared with other types of cancer. Future focus should be placed on the control of tobacco smoking

early detection by low-dose helical computed tomography and targeted therapy to further improve lung cancer survival.