Lung cancer in older patients

Abstract

Increasing life expectancy is the goal of social programs in the Russian Federation as a reflection of the success of public health. Globally, there is a trend for aging of the population, contributing to an increased risk for lung cancer developing which is primarily a disease of the elderly. Chronologic age or performance scores alone are not accurate predictors of patients’ capacity for tolerating aggressive cancer therapies. Use of a comprehensive geriatric assessment to determine treatment strategy is able to reduce toxicities and treatment failures. Safe elderly patients are often able to tolerate surgical resection, radiation, and/or chemotherapy appropriate for their tumor stage, with outcomes similar to those of younger patients, albeit with higher rates of treatment-related toxicity.