In a nutshell
This study looked at whether a person’s age can alter the effectiveness of chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer that has been surgically removed.
Some background
One of the most common treatment options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer is surgery.
Despite the removal of their tumors, it is often found that cancer returns following surgery. To decrease this risk, chemotherapy is often given following surgery. This treatment is known to be very effective. In one study, it was found to reduce the risk of death following surgery by 18%.
Non-small cell lung cancer is common in patients over the age of 70. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of chemotherapy in these patients.
Methods & findings
The current study compard the effectiveness of chemotherapy in older patients to that in younger patients.
7593 patients were included in this study. The patients had stages 1B (confined to the lung) to 3 (spread to the lymph nodes) non-small cell lung cancer. Of these patients, stage 1B was the most common. 62% of the patients were 70 or younger (Group A) and 38% were 70 or older (Group B).
15.3% of Group B received chemotherapy following surgery, compared to 31.6% of Group A.
Chemotherapy after surgery was associated with longer survival times in both groups. Patients in Group A had a 21% decrease in the risk of death, this was similar to the 19% decrease for Group B.
Patients from both groups with stage 2 disease saw the most benefit from chemotherapy after surgery. In these patients a 28% decrease in the risk of death was seen.
When the authors looked at the drugs used – carboplatin and cisplatin. They found that there was no difference in survival based on the chemotherapy drug used in adjuvant chemotherapy.
56% of Patients in Group B had stage IB disease when initially diagnosed compared to 49.4% in Group A. The authors suggested that this may be due to older patients visiting their doctor more frequently, allowing early detection.
The bottom line
This study concluded that, when compared to younger groups, older patients tend not to receive adjuvant chemotherapy quite as often, despite experiencing the same benefit from it.
The fine print
Performance data, such as how patients felt after treatment, was not included. This should be included in future trials.
What’s next?
Discuss the use of adjuvant chemotherapy with your doctor.
Published By :
Cancer
Date :
Apr 14, 2015
