Lung cancer patients should not be denied surgery based on their age, concluded UAB researchers Robert J. Cerfolio, M.D., and Ayesha S. Bryant, M.D., in a study of 726 patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Researchers compared morbidity, mortality and long-term survival rates among different age groups, including patients younger than age 70, those between 70 and 74, 75 and 79, and 80 and older.

They found no significant difference in hospital length of stay, major morbidity or death rates during surgery between the elderly groups and the younger control groups. “Short-term risks and long-term survival are similar to younger patients,” Bryant said. The award winning study was presented at the 2006 Society of Thoracic Surgeons‘ meeting in Chicago.