Lung cancer in elderly patients.

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of death in elderly patients in the United States. Treatment advances have improved survival in selected patients. The available treatments carry the risk of morbidity and mortality but the benefit in most patients far outweighs the risks, given the dismal prognosis of untreated disease. Elderly patients with lung cancer need careful attention during pretreatment assessment. Advanced age alone, however, should not contraindicate aggressive treatment. In the high-risk groups it is important to involve a team of physicians including surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and pulmonologists, who are familiar with current treatment options and their risks.