Radiotherapy for lung cancer in the elderly.
Mortality from lung cancer is increasing in patients > or = 70 years. Radiotherapy has an important role in the treatment of lung cancer for this group. Despite this, there have been few elderly specific trials of radiotherapy in lung cancer and current treatment is often based on evidence extrapolated from studies treating younger patients. This review of the literature examines the impact of radiotherapy for the radical and palliative treatment of non-small-cell and small-cell lung cancer, on survival, treatment-related toxicity and quality of life in the elderly. We also comment on the need for validated, practical geriatric screening and assessment tools to help predict toxicity to treatment.
Bayman
Neil
N
Department of Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, 550 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom.
Alam
Nooreen
N
Faivre-Finn
Corinne
C
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016019:Survival Analysis