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Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie 8/2012

01-08-2012 | Original article

Impact of intensity-modulated and image-guided radiotherapy on elderly patients undergoing chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer

Authors: N.P. Nguyen, M.D., J. Vock, A. Chi, V. Vinh-Hung, S. Dutta, L. Ewell, S. Jang, M. Betz, F. Almeida, M. Miller, R. Davis, T. Sroka, R.P. Vo, U. Karlsson, P. Vos

Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie | Issue 8/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

In this work, the treatment tolerance of elderly patients (≥70 years) undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer was assessed.

Patients and methods

A retrospective review of 112 patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer was performed. Treatment toxicity, protocol violations, long-term complications, and survival were compared between 85 younger patients (< 70 years) and 27 older patients (≥ 70 years).

Results

Grade 3–4 treatment toxicity was observed in 88.2% and 88.8% for younger and older patients, respectively. Mean weight loss and treatment break were 5.9 and 3.9 kg (p = 0.03) and 7.3 and 7.8 days (p = 0.8) for younger and older patients, respectively. Seven patients (8.2%) did not complete treatment in the younger group compared to 1 patient (3.7%) in the older group (p = 0.6). No significant differences in protocol violations and survival were found between the two groups.

Conclusion

Compared to younger patients, elderly patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer tolerated chemoradiation with IMRT and IGRT well, and should not be denied curative treatment based solely on age.
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Metadata
Title
Impact of intensity-modulated and image-guided radiotherapy on elderly patients undergoing chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer
Authors
N.P. Nguyen, M.D.
J. Vock
A. Chi
V. Vinh-Hung
S. Dutta
L. Ewell
S. Jang
M. Betz
F. Almeida
M. Miller
R. Davis
T. Sroka
R.P. Vo
U. Karlsson
P. Vos
Publication date
01-08-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Strahlentherapie und Onkologie / Issue 8/2012
Print ISSN: 0179-7158
Electronic ISSN: 1439-099X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-012-0125-0

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