Long-term results after pulmonary resection in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
The number of elder by patients with lung cancer is expected to increase. But, there was no report that 10 years completely passed in surgically treated elderly patients (E-pts). This study assesses late results of surgery.


METHODS
From 1981 to 1987, 160 patients with non-small cell lung cancer underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection. Of these, 37 (23%) were 70 years of age or older. The outcome of this group was compared with that of 123 non-elderly patients (NE-pts).


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the background between E-pts and NE-pts. Five- and 10-year survivals in the E-pts were 35.1%, and 24.3%, respectively. In outcome more than 5 years from operation, E-pts had a significantly poorer prognosis than NE-pts (p=0.04) by any causes of death, but a similar prognosis by primary death. E-pts died of nontumor-related death significantly more than NE-pts (p=0.6).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that E-pts could consummate their lives completely. Additionally, when long-term prognosis of the postoperative E-pts was discussed, we should contemplate that E-pts had more deaths from nontumor-related causes.
Kamiyoshihara
M
M
Department of Surgery, National Sanatorium, Nishi-Gunma Hospital, Shibukawa, Japan. kamiyosi@sa2.so-net.ne.jp
Kawashima
O
O
Ishikawa
S
S
Morishita
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate