Delay between the initial symptoms, the diagnosis and the onset of specific treatment in elderly patients with lung cancer

Abstract

Introduction: The proportion of elderly patients with lung cancer is increasing. The objectives of this study were to describe the initial symptoms in elderly patients (≥ 70 years) with lung cancer and to describe the diagnostic and treatment delays.

Patients and methods: We reviewed all consecutive patients with lung cancer that were diagnosed between 2006 and 2008 in our department. The initial symptoms and delays in the diagnosis and treatment in elderly patients were compared with those of younger patients.

Results: One hundred ninety-three patients were included (26 small-cell cancers and 167 non-small-cell lung cancers [NSCLCs]). Ninety-two patients (47.7%) were ≥ 70 years old. No statistical differences were identified between the 2 groups concerning initial symptoms. In elderly patients, the delay between the initial symptoms and the first visit with a thoracic oncologist (median 1.6 months [IQR 23 days-3.3 months]), the delay between the first visit and the specific treatment (median 1.1 months [IQR 18 days-1.8 months]), and the delay between initial symptoms and the specific treatment (median 3 months [IQR 2-5.7 months]) were similar to those in the younger patients (P = .101, P = .084, and P = .671, respectively). Eighty-four percent of the elderly patients were actively treated vs. 98% of the younger patients (P = .001).

Conclusion: We identified no differences regarding the initial symptoms in elderly patients with lung cancer compared with those in younger patients. The delays in diagnosis and treatment were similar between the 2 groups.