Mediastinal lymph node dissection deteriorates the outcome in octogenarians with lung cancer

Objective. Evaluation of the effects of mediastinal lymph node dissection (ND2) on the outcome in octogenarians with primary lung cancer. Methods. The outcome and post-operative complications were retrospectively investigated in 35 octogenarians with lung cancer; 22 underwent standard operation (ND2 group), 13 underwent limited resection (NDO-1 group), Results. Five-year survival rate was 22.2% and 43.8% in ND2 and NDO-1 group, respectively (p < 0.05). In cases of pathological stage I, the survival rate was shorter in the ND2 group (30.8%), than in the NDO-1 group (50.0%). Standard operation with dissection of mediastinal nodes increased the incidence of postoperative cardiac complications (p < 0.05). Conclusion. It can be concluded that standard lung operation with mediastinal lymph node dissection leads to higher mortality in octogenarians with lung cancer.