Surgical treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in elderly

Objective To study the significance of pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC） in elderly patients and the characteristics of its perioperative management. Methods Clinical data about 46 elderly NSCLC patients at the age of≥70 years who underwent pneumonectomy from May 2008 to February 2010 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with those about 83 control patients at the age of≤60 years who underwent pneumonectomy during the same period of time. Results The rate of NSCLC accompanying cardiovascular and respiratory diseases was significantly higher and the pulmonary function level was poorer in elderly patients than in healthy controls（P＜0.05）.The rate of pneumoresection was higher in elderly patients than in healthy controls（P＜0.05） with no difference in the rate of radical resection between the two groups.The overall rate of perioperative complications was obviously higher in elderly patients than in healthy controls（26.09% vs 10.84%,P＜0.05）.However,no severe operation-related complication and death occurred. Conclusion Pneumonectomy should be actively and carefully performed for NSCLC in elderly patients.Rational selection of the procedure and intensive perioperitive management are the keys to a satisfactory outcome.