In this study, 24 patients aged 70 and over who were operated for primary bronchogenic carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively and their results were compared with those of 90 patients under 70, whom operated for the same intent. The mean age and age range of the group were 74.6 +/- 3.3 and 70-86, respectively, and it consisted of 21 male and three female patients. The histology of the tumor revealed epidermoid carcinoma in 16 (67%) patients, adenocarcinoma in 6 (25%), and large cell carcinoma in 2 (8%). Twelve of the elderly patients had associated diseases (six had coronary artery disease and/or hypertension, four had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and two had diabetes) that increased the operative risk. The resection type used most frequently was lobectomy (67%), followed by limited resection (25%). In postoperative staging, nine patients were found to have stage I disease, nine stage II disease, four stage IIIA disease and two stage IIIB disease. Three (13%) patients developed major complications, and postoperative mortality rate within 30 days was 4% with one patient. In the patients aged under 70, the last two variables were noted in 10 (%11) cases and in 1 (%1) case respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant. As a result, with appropriate patient selection and vigorous postoperative care, morbidity and mortality of the pulmonary resections in elderly is not higher than in young patients, and a curative resection should be preferred.