Lung cancer in elderly patients: a retrospective analysis of practice in a single institution

Incidence of non-small cell lung cancer is increasing especially among elderly with about 40% arising in patients over 70 years old. Most of these elderly patients are under treated. Seventy-one patients with lung cancer over 70 years old were treated in Institut Paoli-Calmettes from January 2000 until December 2003 (male/female: 57/14). Median age was 75.5 years (70-92). OMS 0-1-2-3=4.2-60.6-25.4-4.2%, respectively. Comorbidities were represented by arterial hypertension, coronaropathy, cardiac failure, thrombo-embolism, respiratory failure, diabetes, vascular cerebral dysfunction, and renal failure. 29.6% of patients were without comorbidity, and 14.1% had at least three comorbidities. The averages of the Charlson comorbidity score and the Age-Charlson comorbidity score were 3.4 and 6.6, respectively. Histological characteristics: epidermoïd/adenocarcinoma/undifferentiated/small cells: 39.4%/26.8%/15.5%/9.9%. Most of them were advanced lung cancer: St IIIB=14 (19.7%) and St IV=37 (52.1%). Forty-six patients received chemotherapy (64.8%) with 40 patients (86.9%) with platin (carboplatin or cisplatin). The median number of treatment cycles was 4.1 (range 1-7). Two patients achieved complete response and 15 had partial response. The response rate was 39.6%. The 1-year survival rate was 48.5% and the estimated median survival time was 11 months (95%; 7-18 months) for all patients. The 1-year survival rate was 75% and 21.6% and the estimated median survival time was 25.9 months (95%; 12.6, ND) and 5.7 months (95%; 4.2-9.6) for stage IIIB and IV, respectively. Toxicities were judged acceptable with 19 hospitalizations after chemotherapy, for 16 patients who represent 34.8% of patients who received chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is feasible in elderly patients with lung cancer. Patients should be evaluated for chemotherapy based on their performance status and comorbidities especially with geriatric assessment rather than age alone. The chemotherapy with platinum seems to be tolerable and effective.