Treatment and Outcomes for Elderly Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer

摘要: It is estimated that approximately half of the 500 000 people diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide every year are aged >70 years. Thus, this disease represents a major problem in elderly and one will indeed increase as median age population increases. For small cell (SCLC), which accounts for 20% cases cancer, primary treatment chemotherapy majority aim to control generally would have spread beyond lungs at time presentation. A number 'standard' regimens (combined radiotherapy patients limited disease) been shown improve survival quality life widely used. Much work investigating relationship between outcomes has based on clinical trial data may itself be inherently biased due eligibility criteria excluding patients. However, there no good evidence fare worse than their younger counterparts terms response rates survival. Nevertheless increasing comes concomitant illnesses account observed increases drug toxicity, consideration selecting option. Thus many patients, carboplatin/ etoposide choice because it perhaps least toxic standard regimens. Whatever regimen chosen, key effectiveness seems deliver first 3 or 4 cycles without delay dosage reduction. Although palliation symptoms remains goal all SCLC dearth whether equally well palliated counterparts. There per se should factor deciding receive rather more gentle approach, included trials. The areas where information required regarding assessment palliation, comprehensive reviews disease, not just those