Surgical treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients 70 years of age or older

Background. Indications to surgical treatment of lung cancer in the elderly are still being discussed. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative complications and survival after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients 70 years of age or older. Methods. During a 4 year and 6 month period, 76 patients (67 men and 9 women) entered the study. Results. Postoperative complications occurred in 15 cases (19.7 %) and the 30-day operative mortality was 1.3%. The overall 54 month actuarial survival was 53%. Mortality at 12 months wasn't related to stage of disease, histology or lobectomy versus wedge resection but was higher in those patients who had had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. Results of preoperative spirometry, blood gas and cardiac status were predictive of mortality at twelve months (p<0.05). Conclusions. Surgery for NSCLC in the elderly should not be denied on the basis of age alone. Postoperative outcome is mainly related to concomitant cardiopulmonary disease.