Radiation therapy is well tolerated and produces excellent control rates in elderly patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers.

PURPOSE: Management of locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) in the elderly is challenging due to multiple co-morbidities, poor organ function and performance status. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) in elderly patients, defined as 65 years and older, with high-risk LAHNC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An IRB approved retrospective chart review of elderly patients was performed, of whom 73 patients were selected for analysis. The stages included were II/III-IV. Sites included were oropharynx, oral cavity, larynx, salivary gland, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, hypopharynx and unknown primary.

RESULTS: Median age was 74 years. Thirty nine (53%) patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Median time to completion of RT was 53 days. Median external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) dose was 66 Gy. With a median follow-up of 24 months, overall local control (LC) was 80% and distant metastasis (DM) was 12%. Sixty patients (82%) were alive at the time of study. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 96% (95% CI=87%, 99%). Chemotherapy did not improve LC [80% (chemo) vs 79% (no chemo), p=0.88] or DM [11% (chemo) vs 14% (no chemo), p=0.73]. Interestingly, patients receiving RT using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) had a significantly higher rate of LC vs three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) (94% vs 68%, respectively, p=0.008). Grade 2/3 toxicity was seen in 70/73 (96%) patients while grade 4 toxicity was seen in three patients (4%).

CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with LAHNC have high rates of LC and OS. Prospective studies can reveal more insight into this increasingly important clinical problem in elderly patients.