title: Thoracoscopic surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer: elderly vs. octogenarians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Octogenarians are rarely referred for surgical treatment of lung cancer owing to the morbidity and mortality of pulmonary resection, their frailty, and limited lifespan. We reviewed the results of thoracoscopic surgery, performed completely under the monitor, for treatment of primary non-small-cell lung cancer in octogenarians, and compared them with those in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 25, 2002 and August 25, 2011, a retrospective database of 24 octogenarians and 70 elderly patients (age range, 75-79 years) who underwent thoracoscopic surgery for treatment of primary non-small-cell lung cancer were reviewed. Demographic, histopathologic, preoperative, perioperative, postoperative, outcome variables, and survival were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the octogenarian group, 29% had postoperative respiratory complications, 4% had postoperative cardiac complications, operative mortality was 4%, the recurrence rate was 8%, and the postsurgical 5-year survival rate was 74%. In the elderly group, 25% had postoperative respiratory complications, 6% had postoperative cardiac complications, operative mortality was 3%, the recurrence rate was 6%, and the postsurgical 5-year survival rate was 80%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopic surgery for treatment of primary non-small-cell lung cancer can be performed with similar postoperative complication rates, operative mortality, and survival in octogenarians when compared to elderly patients.
authors: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. chaisits1968@yahoo.com
authors: Chaisit
authors: C
authors: Srisomboon
authors: Kiyoshi
authors: K
authors: Koizumi
authors: Shuji
authors: S
authors: Haraguchi
authors: Iwao
authors: I
authors: Mikami
authors: Yoshihito
authors: Y
authors: Iijima
authors: Kazuo
authors: K
authors: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome