Introduction: The optimal treatment for patients older than 80 years with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is unknown.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 45 patients aged 80 years or older with SCLC, and therapeutic indices and toxicities of anticancer treatment were compared with those of 38 patients aged 70 to 79 years. Subgroup analyses according to the levels of performance status (PS) and comorbidity were also performed.
Results: Twenty-four (53%) of the 45 patients underwent combination chemotherapy and/or thoracic radiotherapy, which resulted in significant survival benefit compared with those left untreated (p < 0.01). The main reasons for not administrating anticancer treatments were advanced age (>85 years), poor PS, and severe comorbidities. The average total chemotherapy dose delivered was 60% of the intended protocol dose. Median survival time and 1-year survival of the treated patients were 13.0 months and 57% for limited disease and 10.3 months and 40% for extensive disease, respectively. Despite a lower chemotherapy dose being administered, survival indices were similar to those of patients aged 70 to 79 years. Survival benefit was observed even in the treated patients with PS 2 to 3 or a moderate degree of comorbidity compared with those left untreated. The frequency of grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicities was not significantly different between the two age groups.
Conclusions: The standard chemotherapy regimen with or without thoracic radiotherapy seems to be feasible for patients older than 80 years with SCLC, even for those with PS 2 to 3 and/or moderate comorbidity, although frequent dose adjustment is necessary.