Management of Lung Cancer in the Elderly

Abstract

Lung cancer disproportionately affects the elderly. Aging is typically associated with higher risk of comorbidity, declines in physical, organ, and cognitive function, and diminished social support. Hence the management of a disease as complex and potentially lethal as lung cancer in this population is challenging. Despite most patients with lung cancer being elderly, most high-level evidence has been derived from studies that included younger patients and only a minority of the fit elderly. This article reviews the literature on the care of older adults with lung cancer. The evolving role of geriatric assessment in lung cancer is discussed.

Keywords: Advanced stage; Early stage; Elderly; Geriatric assessment; Lung cancer; Metastatic; Palliative care; Targeted therapy.