[Long-term results of lung cancer surgery in octogenarians]

Abstract

Introduction: This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate late results of lung cancer surgery in octogenerians.

Methods: All patients 80years old or more who underwent a lung resection for cancer from 2000 to 2010 at Lyon University Hospital were included. No patients were treated with video-assisted surgery. Wedge resections were excluded.

Results: Sixty-three patients (42 men, 21 women) were operated. The median age was 82years. Operative mortality was 4.7%. The rate of perioperative complications was 49%. The late survival was 34% at 5years. Five-year survival by nodal involvement was N0, 36%; N1, 29%; N2 20%, P<0.05. Patients with a squamous cell carcinoma (24) had a better long-term survival than patients with an adenocarcinoma (30), 33% and 25% respectively at 5years, P<0.05. The rate of recurrence was 33.9%.

Conclusions: Surgical treatment of lung cancer in selected population of octogenerians is associated with satisfactory early and long-term results. Survival is influenced by nodal involvement and by the pathologic type of the cancer.

Keywords: Cancer du poumon; Chirurgie; Long-term survival; Lung cancer; Morbidity; Morbidité; Mortality; Mortalité; Octogenarians; Sujets âgés; Surgery; Survie à long terme.