The clinical features of older patients with lung cancer in comparison with their younger counterparts

Abstract Background Older patients with lung cancer have increased over the past decades. Several standard treatmentsfor older patients were established, but their clinical features in real world clinics remain unknown. Thus, we performed a retrospective study to clarify the clinical features of them. Methods The patients with lung cancer who were admitted to our hospital between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients older than 75 years were defined as older patients. Standard treatmentswere based on the guidelines. Results In total, 333 patients were analyzed. The older patients had a poor performance status (PS), more comorbidities, and fewer opportunities to receive standard treatments. The prognosis of the older patients who received standard treatmentswas superior to that of those who did not. The therapeutic efficacy of standard treatmentsfor older patients with stages I and II diseases was similar to their younger counterparts. However, the prognosis of older patients with advanced stage, especially stage III disease, was poor. The tolerability of first-line chemotherapy by older patients was comparable with their younger counterparts, but the older patients had fewer opportunities to receive several chemotherapy regimens, even second line chemotherapy. Conclusions We should positively consider standard treatmentsfor older patients. However, not only their shorter life expectancy but also their poor PS and multiple comorbidities that sometimes render patients unable to receive standard treatmentsand several chemotherapy regimens, make their prognosis poor. The standard treatmentsfor older patients, especially in locally advanced stages, require modification.