How old is too old for lung transplant surgery

Patients were grouped by age, and we calculated short-term and long-term survival rates and compared survival distributions. Short-term survival was similar across all age groups and procedure types except those aged 75 to 79, who had lower short-term survival for BLT. Although data were lacking for 5-year survival for those aged 75 to 79, the 3-year survival for BLT in this group was inferior.

In general, patients with lung cancer are not eligible for transplants. However, this depends on the type of lung cancer. Some patients may require a heart-lung transplant. You are encouraged to speak with your doctor or a member of our transplant team to explore your options. The lung transplant team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether you are eligible for a transplant.

You will work with a transplant nurse coordinator and the lung transplant team , which includes surgeons, a social worker, a psychologist, a nutritionist, rehabilitation specialists and others. Once you have completed your evaluation, your health status and history will be presented to the transplant committee. Good candidates usually have an excellent support system already in place at home.

Many of the team members you meet during your evaluation are on the committee. These experts will make the final decision on whether transplantation is a good option for you. The evaluation time takes approximately one to two months. The average patient getting a lung transplant is in his or her 50s. However, over the last five to 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in older patients getting lung transplants.

Five years ago, the approximate age limit was between 60 to 65 years old, but that is no longer the case. Transplants have been offered to people in their 70s, and although the risks are higher, through proper selection, terrific success has occurred within this age group. A typical day will find her walking around the city, exploring museums and spending time with her grandchildren. Emphysema can make you feel pretty sick.

Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Lung Transplant Program for Seniors. SURGE For emergent transfers, call