RESECTION OF LUNG CANCERS IN PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 70 YEARS, BASEDON A SERIES OF 193 RESECTIONS

Lung cancer in the elderly is an active cancer. Due to the poor tolera nce of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and the ever increasing life exp ectancy of patients over the age of 70 years, surgery remains the trea tment of choice for these lesions. We report a series of 193 patients over the age of 70 years. the high postoperative mortality of 19% duri ng the first month was counterbalanced by a 5-year survival of more th an 20%. The criteria of operability must be rigorous and based on obje ctive elements, especially lung function and the patient's good psycho logical state.