Favorable surgical results for patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer over 80 years old: a multicenter survey.

Background: Surgery for elderly patients, especially those over 80 years old, with primary lung neoplasms is a relatively common treatment according to the increasing elderly population. We reviewed our experiences to evaluate surgical outcomes in over-80-year-old patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods: We reviewed and analyzed the clinical records of 146 consecutive over-80-year-old patients (Group 1) and 926 control patients (65 years old and younger) (Group 2) with NSCLC who underwent surgical resections from 1981 to 2006. Results: The mean ages of Group 1 and Group 2 were 82.6 and 56.2 years old, respectively. The ratio of the clinical and pathological Stage I was higher than the Stages II-IV in Group 1, and that of pathological Stage III was higher in Group 2. Segmental and wedge resection were selected more frequently in Group 1, otherwise, pneumonectomy and lobectomy were selected more frequently in Group 2. The ratio of squamous cell carcinoma was higher in Group I than in Group 2. When we divided the time of surgeries into decades, the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, the ratio of elder to younger patients was clearly increased according to era: 6.6%, 13.7%, and 18.8%. Furthermore, incomplete operation cases were significantly decreased in the two groups. There was no difference of overall survival in either. When examined for overall survival, except for patients with incomplete resection, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Surgery is the convenient treatment for elderly NSCLC patients, especially, for those who can undergo complete resection. (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008; 14: 154-160)