[Lung surgery in patients over 70 years]

The Authors according to their previous experience, report on the possibility of thoracic surgery in patients older than 70 with lung cancer. Fourty-seven patients older than 70 have been operated in the period 1984-1988 for lung cancer. The Authors performed 34 lobectomy, 11 pneumonectomy, and 4 wedge resection. The mortality rate was 4.25% (2 patients). Thirty-four patients are still living (follow-up range 12-60 months). Ten patients died. The Authors report a diagnostic and therapeutic guideline for this kind of pathology.