Non small cell lung cancer: surgical treatment in the elderly

Lung cancer resection in elderly patients is justified and has decreasing morbidity and mortality rates. Careful patient selection and operative planning are necessary, however. It is wise to have a diagnosis and staging done before the patient arrives in the operating theater. The surgeon should avoid extended resections when possible. In addition, elderly patients should be ambulated as soon as possible and adequate pain control should be ensured. Finally, the stage of the disease and occurrence of cardiopulmonary complications are the main determinants of outcome.