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Are Second- and Third-Line Treatments in the Elderly Feasible?

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Management of Lung Cancer in Older People

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Abstract

Currently, pemetrexed, docetaxel, erlotinib, and gefitinib have to be considered the standard treatment for patients with pretreated advanced NSCLC. Given the similar efficacies of the three currently available agents, patient’s preference, comorbidities, and convenience are important issues to consider when selecting a therapeutic agent. Although these considerations come from trials performed in the general population, it is reasonable to use them for the choice of second- and third-line therapy of elderly patients as well. Unfortunately, second-line studies are still lacking in the elderly patients, but the large amount of new agents which are investigating in NSCLC patients may help in increasing the knowledge in this specific setting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology/Hematology, S.G. Moscati Hospital, Avellino, Italy

    Cesare Gridelli MD

  2. Division of Medical Oncology, S.G. Moscati Hospital, Avellino, Italy

    Antonio Rossi MD & Paolo Maione MD

Authors
  1. Cesare Gridelli MD
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  2. Antonio Rossi MD
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  3. Paolo Maione MD
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Correspondence to Cesare Gridelli MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Oncology/Hematology, S.G. Moscati Hospital, Contrada Amoretta, Avellino, 83100, Italy

    Cesare Gridelli

  2. St Helens Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Marshalls Cross Road, St Helens, WA9 3DA, United Kingdom

    Riccardo A Audisio

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Gridelli, C., Rossi, A., Maione, P. (2013). Are Second- and Third-Line Treatments in the Elderly Feasible?. In: Gridelli, C., Audisio, R. (eds) Management of Lung Cancer in Older People. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-793-8_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-793-8_16

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-792-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-793-8

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