Elderly Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma: Does Aggressive Treatment Result in Better Outcomes?. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jang, Isabelle J. H.; Skanthakumar, Thakshayeni; Tan, Hiang Khoon; Tan, Ngian Chye; Soo, Khee Chee; Iyer, N. Gopalakrishna
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 160:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 642
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: head and neck -- squamous cell carcinoma -- elderly; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599818815065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

Objective: There are no well-defined treatment recommendations for elderly patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate whether aggressive treatment among the elderly translated into better survival outcomes. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Single tertiary institution. Subjects and Methods: Elderly patients (≥60 years) with advanced-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (stage III and IV) treated between January 1991 and May 2014 were reviewed. According to current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, they were classified to have received standard or substandard treatment. Overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival, and distant recurrence-free survival were evaluated. Results: A total of 355 patients were treated curatively: 194 with up-front surgery and 161 with radiotherapy or concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Median OS was higher among patients who received standard treatment (42.0 vs 16.0 months, P < .001). On multivariate analysis, standard treatment showed superior OS ( P < .001). Use of substandard treatment showed a hazard ratio of 2.09 (95% CI, 1.59-2.74) for poorer OS. Conclusion: Aggressive standard treatment protocols should be advocated for elderly patients, where comorbidities permit, as they confer better outcomes.