6 Is one single question a reliable screening tool for depression in elderly cancer patients: a prospective study

Abstract

pulmonary diseases (20 vs. 5%) accounted for the increased co-morbidity in the older age group. More young lung cancer patients received standard therapy; in stage IIIB chemotherapy + radiotherapy (<65: 63%; 65: 29%) and in stage IV chemotherapy (<65: 75%; 65: 42%). However, more patients in the older age group refused chemotherapy ( 65 y: 29% vs <65 y: 8%). Conclusions: Patients 65 years had worse WHO performance as well as more severe co-morbidity. There was a difference in standard treatment between both age groups in st IIIB and IV lung cancer. However, these differences may be partly due to the patients’ preferences. Regarding the larger number of treatment refusals in the older age group in stage IV disease, it can be hypothesized whether older individuals are probably partly responsible themselves for the differences in treatment.