JOPIC
Journal of Pulmonology and Intensive Care

The JoPIC is an independent-unbiased, peer-reviewed, and open-access journal of current national and international issues and reviews for original clinical and experimental research, interesting case reports, surgical techniques, differential diagnoses, editorial opinions, letters to the editor, and educational papers in pulmonology, thoracic surgery, occupational diseases, allergology, and intensive care medicine.

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Original Article
Intensive care utilization in COPD and advanced-stage lung cancer
Abstract
Aims: Patients with terminal lung cancer and COPD frequently require intensive care unit (ICU) care, yet survival benefits remain uncertain. We evaluated ICU outcomes and the impact of palliative care integration in a tertiary chest hospital.
Methods: A retrospective review included 731 patients transferred to ICUs between 2013–2019. Outcomes were compared before and after the establishment of a palliative care unit in 2016.
Results: Lung cancer accounted for 33.5% of cases and COPD for 66.5%. ICU mortality was 91.7% in cancer and 82% in COPD, with only 10.5% overall survival. Post-discharge survival remained poor, as 4.1% died shortly after ICU transfer. Mean ICU stays were 7.8 and 11.6 days, respectively. Palliative care availability did not significantly change ICU referral rates.
Conclusion: ICU treatment for end-stage COPD and lung cancer is associated with very limited survival. Effective palliative care integration and structured end-of-life decision-making are urgently needed to optimize ICU use.

Keywords : COPD, intensive care unit, lung cancer

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Article available in :
Volume 4, Issue 2, 2026
Page : 13-19
https://doi.org/10.51271/JOPIC-0078
Article Information
Received : 27 Mar 2026
Accepted : 16 May 2026
Published : 21 May 2026
Corresponding Author :

Gülfidan Aras: Department of Chest Diseases, Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Aras G, Mandal Zirek T, Kanmaz D, Tokgöz Akyıl F. Intensive care utilization in COPD and advanced-stage lung cancer. J Pulmonol Intens Care. 2026;4(2):43-49. doi:10.51271/JOPIC-0078

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