Clinical outcomes of retrograde intra-arterial chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy for elderly oral squamous cell carcinoma patients aged over 80 years old

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate toxicities, overall survival, and locoregional control in elderly oral squamous cell carcinoma patients who had undergone retrograde intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. METHODS: Thirty-one elderly patients over 80 years old with oral squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in present study. The treatment schedule consisted of intra- arterial chemotherapy (docetaxel, total 60 mg/m(2); cisplatin, total 150 mg/m(2)) and daily concurrent radiotherapy (total, 60 Gy) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: The median patient age was 82.5 years old (range, 80–88 years). Of the 31 patients, six (19%) had stage II, 6 (19%) had stage III, 17 (55%) had stage IVA, and 2 (6%) had stage IVB. The median follow-up period for all patients was 37 months (range, 7–86 months). The 3-year overall survival and locoregional control rates were 78% and 81%, respectively. The major acute grade 3 adverse events were oral mucositis in 22 (71%) patients, neutropenia in 16 (52%), and dermatitis in 11 (35%). With respect to late toxicities, 1 patient (3%) developed grade 3 osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. No grade 4 or higher toxicities were observed during the treatment and follow-up periods. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy was effective in improving overall survival and locoregional control even for elderly patients.