Work

Lung Cancer Screening Recommendations in the Elderly: International Society for Geriatric Oncology Consensus Statement

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Current or former smokers with a 20-pack-year history between the ages of 50 and 80 years are eligible for lung cancer screening (LCS) under current guidelines. Despite age restrictions for screening, older patients remain at risk for lung cancer and, without screening, are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease that limits curative treatment options.Treatment for early-stage lung cancer has improved with minimally invasive surgical techniques and reduced toxicity associated with stereotactic body radiation therapy. Robust older patients can tolerate surgical resection or stereotactic body radiation therapy with rates of recovery similar to those of their younger peers. Given the advancements in treatment and the improved tools available to identify frailty, chronological age should not be a gatekeeper for LCS. Methods: A taskforce within the International Society of Geriatric Oncology was created to address challenges of LCS within older patients. Taskforce members represented five different specialties with clinical expertise in lung cancer and the care of older adults. Results: For patients above 80 years old who qualify for LCS, we recommend performing a geriatric assessment (GA) to assess functional status and age-related vulnerabilities. Robust patients, as determined by GA, should be eligible for screening and discuss their health care priorities in shared decision-making conversations. GA should be performed every 2 years while patients are enrolled in LCS to determine the appropriateness of continued screening efforts. Conclusions: Age should not be an exclusion criterion for LCS. Patients above 80 years old should be thoughtfully co-managed by geriatric and lung cancer specialists to determine which older patients would benefit from screening efforts.

Source: JTO Clinical and Research Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2026.101053