Advances in Treatments for Small Cell Lung Cancer in Elderly Patients / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 20％ of lung carcinomas.Nearly 30％ of patients with lung cancer are diagnosed over the age of 70 years and about 10％ over 80 years.Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment for SCLC.However,elderly patients tolerate chemotherapy poorly as compared to their younger counterparts because of age-related progressive reduction in organ functions and the presence of comorbidities.Therefore,the best approach towards the development of active and well-tolerated chemotherapy regimens for elderly patients with SCLC is to design clinical trials that are based specifically on geriatric assessments.This review focuses on the major issues related to the treatment of elderly patients with SCLC.