Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Elderly Pat ents with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Aim: In this study, the safety and tolerability of paclitaxel and carboplatin (PC) regimen in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was investigated. Material and Method: Elderly patients (ages ≥70 years) who received PC for stage III (n=11) or IV (n=34) NSCLC were evaluated retrospectively. Results: There were 43 males and 2 females, with a median age of 75.5 (range, 70-82). The response rate was 40%. The median overall survival time and progression-free survival time was 13 months and 8.5 months, respectively. One-year survival rate was 51%. Treatment was well tolerated by the patients. The most frequent side effect observed was grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (57.7%). There was no treatment-related death. Discussion: PC regimen may be a good alternative for the treatment of elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.