Results and impact of routine assessment of comorbidity in elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer aged > 80 years.

Abstract Background Elderly patients now represent a bigger proportion of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, data from clinical trials are limited for this age group, and the elderly are often excluded from optimal treatment for several reasons, including comorbidity. Patients and Methods We reviewed a 10-year experience on proven patients with NSCLC aged > 80 years; comorbidity was assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI). The main objective was the impact of comorbidity on survival outcome. Results Of 109 managed patients aged > 80 years, 74 patients had a proven diagnosis of NSCLC. Performance status was P = 0.007) and an advanced TNM stage (hazard ratio, 3.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.99–5.5; P P = 0.08). Conclusion These results support a role for the CCI as a routine means to assess comorbidity, because patients with fewer comorbidities tolerate and derive survival benefit of optimal NSCLC management. These findings must be confirmed in prospective studies.