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Lung cancer in the octogenarian
K Kurishima1, H Satoh, H Ishikawa
1Division of Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Gerontology
|May 8, 2001
Summary
Lung cancer in octogenarians often involves coexisting diseases, necessitating tailored palliative care. This study highlights the importance of supportive care for prolonged quality survival in elderly lung cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Oncology
- Thoracic Medicine
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Older adults with lung cancer frequently present with multiple comorbidities.
- Treatment decisions for octogenarian lung cancer patients often favor less aggressive approaches due to health status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinicopathological features of lung cancer in patients aged 80 years and above.
- To evaluate treatment patterns and outcomes in this specific elderly demographic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 966 lung cancer patients diagnosed between 1976 and 1999.
- Analysis focused on a subgroup of 56 patients aged 80 years and over.
Main Results:
- The octogenarian cohort (5.8% of total) predominantly consisted of males (70%) with a high prevalence of poor performance status (39%).
- Common comorbidities included cardiovascular disease (41%), diabetes mellitus (20%), and other malignant diseases (14%).
- Treatment varied, with 35% having resectable disease, but only 2 patients underwent surgery; radiotherapy was given to 20 patients, while 25 received only supportive care. No significant survival difference was observed between radiotherapy and supportive care groups.
Conclusions:
- For octogenarian lung cancer patients, prioritizing adequate palliative care to ensure prolonged quality survival is a key therapeutic goal.
- Development of less invasive treatment modalities is crucial for improving outcomes in this population.