Outcomes of elderly patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer admitted to the intensive care unit

We found that one-third of elderly patients with advanced NSCLC admitted to the ICU do not survive hospitalization. Among survivors, most patients required continued institutionalization with a very low likelihood of surviving >1 year from discharge. This data should help patients, families, and health care providers of elderly patients with advanced NSCLC make decisions regarding ICU utilization.