The 'Primum Non‐Nocere' management conundrum of head and neck cancer in the nonagenarian: case reports. (17th January 2018) - Ampil, F.L.
Abstract: There is a paucity of information regarding the management and outcome of nonagenarians with head and neck cancer. This retrospective study revealed oral cavity carcinoma in three 90‐year‐old people accounting for approximately 0.1% of patients evaluated for treatment of head and neck cancer during a period of over 3 years at a single institution. Resection of gross tumour performed in these individuals with early stage or locally advanced disease (two patients) resulted in survival with recurrent tumour at 28 months, disease‐free survival at 8 months and death during the early recovery period, respectively. Extreme chronological age should not necessarily preclude judiciously applied therapy in people with head and neck cancer. Therapeutic intervention needs to be individualized according to the presented clinical profile.