[Bronchial carcinoma in Berlin, capital of East Germany 1975 to 1979].

Some important data characterizing the situation in lung cancer control were analyzed in Berlin, capital of the German Democratic Republic, during the period 1975-1979. The incidence rates amounted to 91.9/100 000 in men and 20.5/100 000 in women. The incidence is higher in the capital Berlin than in the GDR as a whole. Lung cancer patients were mostly treated by radiation therapy (19.7%) or surgery alone (16.6%). The cumulative relative 5-year-survival rate of patients treated in 1975/76 amounted to 10.3%. Primary prevention by consequent reduction of tobacco consumption rates, especially in younger people, would be the most important contribution to reduce lung cancer risk and seems to be more effective than secondary prevention. The reduction of exposition against cancerogenic factors, the control of exposed people and chest X-ray examinations of persons at high risk are further contributions to improve lung cancer control.