Short course accelerated radiation therapy (SHARON) in palliative treatment of advanced solid cancer in older patients: A pooled analysis. Issue 4 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farina, Eleonora; Capuccini, Jenny; Macchia, Gabriella; Caravatta, Luciana; Nguyen, Nam P.; Cammelli, Silvia; Zanirato Rambaldi, Giuseppe; Cilla, Savino; Wondemagegnhu, Tigeneh; Uddin, A.F.M. Kamal; Sumon, Mostafà Aziz; Genovesi, Domenico; Buwenge, Milly; Cellini, Francesco; Valentini, Vincenzo; Deodato, Francesco; Morganti, Alessio G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geriatric oncology. Volume 9:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 359
• Page End: 361
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Radiotherapy -- Palliative care -- Pain -- Quality of life -- Older patients; Geriatric oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Aged -- Periodicals; Geriatric oncology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 618.976994005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2018.01.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1879-4068

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a conformal Short Course Accelerated Radiation therapy (SHARON) for symptomatic palliation of locally advanced or metastatic cancers in older patients. Materials and Methods: This is a pooled analysis on patients aged ≥ 80 years selected between subjects enrolled in 3 phase I-II studies on a short course palliative treatment of advanced or metastatic cancer. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the symptoms response rate produced by accelerated radiotherapy delivered in 4 total fractions in twice a day. Total dose ranged between 14 Gy and 20 Gy while dose/fraction between 3.5 and 5 Gy. Results: A total of 48 patients were included in this analysis. Twenty-six patients (54.2%) had advanced primary or metastatic head and neck tumors, 11 (22.9%) locally advanced or metastatic thoracic cancers, 11 (22.9%) complicated bone metastases. The majority of patients presented pain (60.4%). With a median follow-up time of 5.5 months, no G4 acute and late toxicities were recorded. The overall palliative response rate was 91.7% with a median duration of palliation of 4 months. Conclusion: Short course accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic cancers is effective in terms of symptom relief and well tolerated even in older patients.