Abstract
One hundred and twenty two patients, who had been operated on for lung cancer during a 12 year period ending June, 1990, are reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups, namely, aged group 70 of age or more (n=29) and control group less than 70 years (n=93). Statistical evaluation was based on chi square test.
The mean age was 73.5±3.0 years in the aged group or 60.0±6.8 years in the control group. Aged group consisted of 20 males and 9 females, and the control group consisted of 62 males and 31 females. Concerning gender, there was no statistical difference in the sex between the two groups. The Brinkman Index was 750±462 in the aged group while 535±549 in the control group, showing a statistical difference (p<0.05). No statistical difference in the operation modes, clinical stage and histological findings was revealed between the two groups. There was a statistical difference in the preoperative pulmonary function between the two groups (FVC: p<0.01, FEV1.0: p<0.05). There was a statistical difference in the level of PaCO2 between the two groups (p<0.01). Although a statistical difference in the preoperative complication was shown between the two groups (p<0.01), incidence of postoperative complications in the aged group was almost equal to that of the control group. The 5-year survival rate was 73.4% in the aged group versus 57.8% in the control group, with no significant difference.
It can not be concluded that even radical operation is not advatagous to aged patient 70 of age or more, compared with younger patients.
