Investigation and management of lung cancer in older adults

The average age of patients with lung cancer is increasing, but there is little data of the management and outcomes of this common cancer in the elderly.

Data were collected from our hospital lung cancer database, medical, radiology and pathology records, for all patients with a new diagnosis of lung cancer from Jan 2002 to Dec 2004. The investigation, treatment and outcomes of these patients were analysed, and the younger (<75 years old) and elderly (75 years+) populations were compared.

Data on 367 were analysed. Median age at diagnosis was 72 years and median survival was 5.2 months. Elderly patients were less likely to be fully investigated i.e. have histological confirmation (88.2% vs. 66.4%; p<0.001), stage recorded (88.6% vs. 78.1%; p=0.001) and performance status recorded (88.6% vs. 75.3%; p=0.003). They had poorer performance status. The older patients were less likely to receive active treatment (surgery 11.6% vs. 6.4%; p<0.001, chemotherapy or radiotherapy 50.9% vs. 26.2% p<0.001). Improved survival was independently associated with younger age (p<0.001), better performance status (p<0.001), early stage (p<0.001) and active treatment (p=0.005). Hazard ratios for death for poor PS vs. good PS was 1.88 (p<0.001), for late stage vs. early stage was 2.01 (p=0.011), for BSC vs. active treatment was 1.46 (p=0.005) and for 75 years+ patients vs. under 75 years was 1.36 (p=0.069). When comparing elderly with younger patients, median survival remained better in patients who were actively treated, had good PS and early stage (p<0.001).

Elderly patients are less likely to be fully investigated and actively treated than younger patients with lung cancer. The causes of this difference are unclear but may include patient and clinicians' more conservative approach in the elderly. Predictors of improved outcome are the same in older and younger populations, and the elderly derive a similar survival advantage if actively treated. These data show that elderly patients are managed differently to younger patients, though the clinical basis for this is not clear.

Lung cancer is common in the older population and has a poor prognosis. We reviewed the investigation, treatment and survival of all patients with a new diagnosis of lung cancer over a three-year period. We compared the management of our younger (under 75 years) population with those aged 75 years or older. In our population, people over 75 years with lung cancer are less completely investigated. They were less likely to have full staging investigations, a histological or cytological diagnosis, or have their performance status recorded. Our over 75-year olds are less likely to receive active treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery) for lung cancer. Our older patients who received active treatment for lung cancer had similar survival advantages to younger patients.