Is Chest Wall Resection Safe in Geriatric Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

PURPOSE: Our aim in this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgery in patients undergoing chest wall resection due to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on age groups. METHODS: The study was conducted retrospectively on 160 patients with NSCLC who underwent chest wall resection between 2009 and 2019. Patients were classified into Group A (under 70 years) and Group B (70 years and older). RESULTS: The study found a complication rate of 28.1%, but no negative impact of the geriatric age group on complications was determined. The risk of complications varied depending on the number of ribs removed (p = 0.035). The survival rate for Group A was 72%, while for Group B it was 93% (p = 0.189). No significant differences were found in terms of gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and histopathological results. In patients who underwent lobectomy, survival was 85%, while a significant difference was observed in those who underwent pneumonectomy, with a survival rate of 41% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that advanced age is not a prognostic factor in surgical resection regarding complications and survival, with the most important prognostic factors being the type of resection and the stage of the disease.