COMPARISON BETWEEN YOUNG AND OLD PATIENTS WITH LUNG CANCER

摘要

Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics, histological types, stage at diagnosis and treatment between young (< or = 40 years) and older (> or =70 years) patients with lung cancer. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective review of 808 lung cancer patients referred to the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital over a 6-year period from 1995 to 2001. Data regarding demographics, presentation symptoms, histology, tumor staging, and treatment modality were obtainedfrom all patients. Results: We found significantly more female patients and adenocarcinoma in the younger group compared with the older patients. Cough was themost common presenting symptom in both the younger and older groups followed bydyspnea, hemoptysis in the older group or chest pain in the younger group. There was no difference in the stage of disease at initial presentation between the younger and older groups. The young patients tended to receive aggressive treatment more readily than the older patients, and the older patients frequently received supportive care only. Conclusion: The female sex and adenocarcinoma were predominant in young patients compared with the older patients. Young patients tended to receive more aggressive treatment and may have better survival.