The benefit of chemotherapy in elderly patients with small cell lung cancer.

Elderly patients with small cell lung cancer derive a statistically significant benefit from the administration of combination chemotherapy. Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated high response rates and impressive median survivals with carboplatin and etoposide, cisplatin and etoposide, and other regimens. All elderly patients with small cell lung cancer should be evaluated by a medical oncologist to determine whether they are candidates for chemotherapy.