Lung Cancer in the Oldest Old: A Nation-Wide Study in The Netherlands

Introduction An important step in improving research and care for the oldest patients with lung cancer is analyzing current data regarding diagnostic work-up, treatment choices, and survival. Methods We analyzed data on lung cancer from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR-IKNL) regarding diagnostic work-up, treatment, and survival in different age categories; the oldest old (>= 85 years of age) versus those aged 71-84 (elderly) and those aged Results 47,951 patients were included in the 2010-2014 NCR database. 2196 (5%) patients were aged >= 85 years. Histological diagnosis was obtained significantly less often in the oldest old (38%, p <0.001), and less standard treatment regimen was given (8%, p <0.001) compared to elderly and younger patients. 67% of the oldest old received best supportive care only versus 38% of the elderly and 20% of the younger patients (p