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Outcome of radiotherapy for the treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the very elderly population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2023

Orly Yariv Open the ORCID record for Orly Yariv [Opens in a new window] ,
Nimrod Amitai ,
Yuval Nachalon ,
Assaf Moore  and
Aron Popovtzer
Orly Yariv*
Affiliation:
Institute of Oncology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center – Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Nimrod Amitai
Affiliation:
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center – Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel
Yuval Nachalon
Affiliation:
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center – Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel
Assaf Moore
Affiliation:
Institute of Oncology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center – Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Aron Popovtzer
Affiliation:
Institute of Oncology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center – Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
*
Corresponding author: Orly Yariv; Email: yarivorly@gmail.com Fax: +972 3 937 8047
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Abstract

Background

Treatment selection for squamous cell carcinoma patients aged over 84 years is controversial. This retrospective chart review examined and compared characteristics of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in very elderly (over 84 years) and younger patients (approximately 65 years). The secondary objective was to further evaluate the outcome of radiotherapy as a treatment modality in this patient population.

Methods

Of all 23 very elderly patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy, with or without surgery, in the Davidoff Cancer Center, from 1992 to 2012, 19 had sufficient data for analysis, and comprised the study group.

Results

Median age at diagnosis was 86 years. Disease stage at diagnosis was I, II, III and IVA in 53 per cent, 21 per cent, 21 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. Median radiotherapy dose was 60 Gy given in 25 fractions. Three patients had recurrence. No patient discontinued treatment because of toxicity. Median overall survival was 3.6 years (range, 0–10 years).

Conclusion

Very elderly laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients may derive a similar survival advantage as younger counterparts. Modern radiotherapy is effective and safe for treating laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in this study population. Further, large-scale studies are needed.

Keywords

Laryngeal cancerradiationelderly patientsglottissquamous cell carcinoma
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 138 , Issue 4 , April 2024 , pp. 443 - 447
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Orly Yariv takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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