Abstract
The advanced age is associated with higher prevalence of lung cancer. In elderly patients an age-related physiological impairment of lung function and higher frequency of co-morbidities, especially COPD and cardiovascular disease, are noted. That potentially contributes postoperative complications. It is still discussed if elderly patients may derive benefit from the treatment comparable to younger patients or rather represent a significantly greater challenge for surgical treatment.
The aim of the study was to assess lung function in patients who have been diagnosed with lung cancer and qualified for surgery. The material consisted of 350 patients (mean age 63,5±9,1 yrs, 234 men) with histologically proved NSCLC and properly performed spirometry, who were selected for surgery and operated on. There were 156 pts >65 yrs of age (71,5±3,8 yrs) and 194 pts ≤65 yrs of age (57,0±6,6 yrs). No significant differences were found in lung function indices (FEV1 79,6±21,1 vs. 82,6±20,5 %, FVC 95,5±20,0 vs. 97,7±19,7% resp.). Similar percentage of patients with airflow obstruction was revealed in both groups (49% vs. 47%). The resections were less extensive in older pts (9,6 vs. 12,8% underwent pneumonectomy, 87,8 vs. 85,6% lobectomy, wedge resections 2,6% vs. 1,6% resp). The analysis of all postoperative complications revealed they were more frequent in older group (41,4 vs. 30,5%), mainly due to cardiovascular causes.
Conclusion: The elderly pts with NSCLC may be offered radical surgical treatment in terms of lung function, but they are more prone to develop postoperative complications.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015
