The evaluation of young and old patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Aim: The aim of our study was to compare clinical characteristics and prognosis in young (<= ' b245 years) and old (>=' b365 years) patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The symptoms, pathologic characteristics, tumor staging, treatment modality and prognosis were compared between Group I and II composed of patients less than 45 years old and older than 65 years with NSCLC respectively. Pearson's chi square and Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Thirty three patients were square'b245 years old and 67 +/- ' b365 years old of whom 94 were male and 6 female (group I included 30 male, 3 female; group II 64 male, 3 female). Regarding stage and sex a statistical difference was not observed (p> 0.05). Cough was the most frequent presenting symptom in older patients (p< 0.036). We found that adenocarcinoma was significantly high in group I (16/33; 47.1%) when compared with Group II (14/67; 21.2%). Young patients received more aggressive treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) compared with older ones. Survival was better in young patients (52,21+/-'b154,63 week) when compared with older ones (27,13+/-'b132,34 week)(p< 0.01). Conclusion: Among patients with NSCLC, adenocarcinoma was more frequently seen in young patients. Young patients were treated more aggressively and had better prognosis than older patients.