[Lung cancers in the elderly]

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The world population is getting increasingly older. The incidence of lung cancer is therefore growing among elderly patients. However, in spite of the universal recognition of the importance of clinical research to guide therapeutic decisions, elderly lung cancer patients are largely under-represented in cancer treatment trials. Age alone must not be a limiting factor in the choice of treatment. Indications for surgery should not vary with age. Fit elderly patients benefit from concurrent chemoradiotherapy. For metastatic patients, single-agent monotherapy with a third-generation agent (vinorelbine, gemcitabine or docetaxel) is the recommended option. Platinum-based chemotherapy may represent a valid option for fit elderly patients with adequate function. The role of the new biologic target-based agents is to be found. There is an absolute need of clinical trials specifically dedicated to elderly patients with lung cancer.