The outcomes of radiotherapy and factors that predict overall survival in elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate radiotherapy in terms of both feasibility and efficacy for the treatment of 206 elderly patients (≥70 years) with unresectable ESCC and to investigate the factors that predict overall survival in those patients.

METHODS: Totally, 206 elderly patients with esophageal cancer (≥70 years) treated with RT for ESCC in the Harbin Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. Radiation treatment results and side effects were evaluated. Survival data were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, including OS, RFS and DDFS. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the relevant prognostic factors.

RESULTS: The median OS and RFS were 20.68 and 24.19 months. Metastases before radiotherapy, having cervical or supraclavicular neoplasm, with lesion length >5 cm were the independent risk factors for OS. The total effective rate was 86.9% (179/206).

CONCLUSION: Radiation therapy in elderly patients (≥70 years) can not only obtain good treatment result, but also make patients have better tolerance and reduce the risk of complications. Radiotherapy should be as a primary treatment option for elderly patients with inoperable ESCC.