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Lung cancer in elderly patients.
1University of Maryland School of Medicine, 10 South Pine Street, Suite 800, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. jhey@medicine.umaryland.edu
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|May 9, 2003
Summary
Lung cancer treatment can be aggressive and effective in elderly patients, improving survival despite potential risks. Careful pretreatment assessment is crucial, and age alone should not prevent optimal care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality in the elderly population in the United States.
- While treatments have advanced, they carry risks of morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of careful pretreatment assessment for elderly lung cancer patients.
- To advocate for aggressive treatment in elderly patients when benefits outweigh risks.
Main Methods:
- Review of current treatment options and their associated risks for elderly lung cancer patients.
- Highlighting the necessity of multidisciplinary physician involvement for high-risk cases.
Main Results:
- Treatment advances have led to improved survival in select elderly patients.
- The benefits of available treatments generally outweigh the risks compared to untreated disease.
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients with lung cancer require thorough pretreatment evaluation.
- Advanced age should not be a barrier to aggressive lung cancer treatment.
- Multidisciplinary teams are essential for managing high-risk elderly patients with lung cancer.