Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effects and adverse reactions of single-agent docetaxel and docetaxel combined with carboplatin in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Monotherapy group:docetaxel 50mg/m² d1, repeated every 2 weeks. Combination therapy group: docetaxel 40mg/m² d1, carboplatin AUC=5 d1, repeated every 2 weeks. Results There was no statistical difference in effective rate(36.4% vs 41.7%, P=0.77)and median survival time (9.2 months vs 7.9 months, P=0.13)in two groups. The improvement rate of quality of life with monotherapy group was higher than combination therapy group（77.3% vs 45.8%, P=0.03）. In grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ neutropenia was significantly different in the two groups(18.2% vs 54.2%, P=0.02). Other toxicities were mild and generally well tolerated. Conclusion Compared to combination therapy, 2-weekly docetaxel monotherapy showed therapeutic equivalence in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. The quality of life can be preferably improved and the toxicity is tolerable.