[Surgical treatment of elderly patients with primary lung cancer]

Fourteen patients with lung cancer over the age of 70 years had the standard operation with mediastinal lymph node dissection. Their postoperative complications and prognoses were compared with those of 47 patients under the age of 70 years with the same operation. The propriety of the standard operation with mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer in elderly patients was studied. A program of respiratory training was arranged preoperatively for the patients. Preoperative complications was more common in elderly than in younger patients, but postoperative complications were less frequent. The prognosis in elderly patients was also satisfactory. We conclude that the standard operation with mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer can be performed as well in elderly as in younger patients.