Stereotactic body radiotherapy for elderly patients (≥ 75 years) with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is the primary treatment method for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) considered inoperable due to medical comorbidities. However, the application of SBRT in patients aged ≥ 75 years has not been adequately studied. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of SBRT in early-stage NSCLC patients aged ≥ 75 years, and the impact of treatment on nutritional status and self-care ability. Methods Histopathologically confirmed early-stage (T1-3N0M0) NSCLC patients aged ≥ 75 years treated with SBRT between 2013 and 2018 at our center were identified from the electronic database. Treatment efficacy, treatment toxicities, impact of treatment on nutritional status, and self-care ability were retrospectively analyzed. Toxicities were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) (Common 2010 ) version 4.0. Nutritional status was assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 criteria, and self-care ability by Barthel index and fall risk index. Results A total of 68 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up duration was 46.3 (3.9–80.1) months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 92.6%, 77.2%, and 59.1%, respectively, and the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year local control rates were 95.6%, 88.9% and 85.6%, respectively. Grade 1–2 and grade 3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 60/68 (96.8%) and 1/68 (1.5%) patients, respectively. Fall risk at 3 months after treatment was not significantly different from that before treatment ( P = 0.22). Barthel index increased significantly after treatment ( P