EVALUATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SURVIVAL IN FRAGILE PATIENTS WITH NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Aim: This study aims to evaluate factors affecting long-term prognosis in geriatric patients undergoing anatomical resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Materials and Methods: A total of 795 patients aged 65 years and above who underwent surgical resection for NSCLC between 2011 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. The study population was stratified into two age-based cohorts: patients aged between 65 and 75 years (Group 1) and those older than 75 years (Group 2). Comparisons between groups were made regarding gender, pathological TNM stage, pathological subtype, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated an average survival time of 61 months for male patients and 74 months for female patients (p=0.056). Survival time was 69 months for right-sided resections and 57 months for left-sided resections (p=0.011). The median survival was 65 months for patients in Group 1 and 51 months for those in Group 2 (p=0.045). According to the Charlson Comorbidity Index, patients scoring 1-3 had an average survival of 78 months, those scoring 4-5 had 63 months, and those with scores above 5 had 45 months (p< 0.001). Average survival was 68 months in patients undergoing lobectomy, compared to 43 months in those undergoing pneumonectomy (p< 0.001).Conclusions: This study reveals that gender, surgical technique, and comorbidities significantly affect survival outcomes in elderly patients receiving surgical treatment for NSCLC. These findings are critical for determining optimal surgical strategies and optimizing therapeutic approaches in elderly patient populations.