Benign Thoracic Disease In The Elderly

The spectrum of noncancerous diseases of the chest in elderly patients includes both diseases that affect younger patients, as well as processes exacerbated by the underlying physiological changes of aging. Structural alterations, immunological changes, decreases in physiologic reserve, and comorbid disease processes all affect the presentation and response to disease in the elderly. Benign disorders of the thorax in the elderly include diseases of the chest wall and pleura, thoracic spine deformities which affect pulmonary function, benign masses, rheumatological disorders, infectious processes such as pneumonia and emypema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When caring for elderly patients, clinicians must be aware of signs and symptoms of these disorders, options for management, and potential complications in this population.