Radiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer in elderly patients: results and prognostic factors a single cohort

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of elderly patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) undergoing radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort from a single institution, from 2000 to 2015, including patients older than 65 years old with LAHNC (stage III–IVa) treated by RT combined or not with chemotherapy (CRT). Univariate and multivariate analysis (MVA) were performed to identify prognostic factors associated with overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CS), and locoregional control (LRC). A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 220 patients with LAHNC and > 65 years of age were identified. The median follow-up was 3.8 years, the 3/5 years estimated OS, CS, and LRC rate was 40%/30%, 49%/34%, 76%/45%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, clinical stage (III vs. IVa/b, p = 0.01), tumor stage (T1/2 vs. T3/4, p = 0.035), Karnofsky performance status (KPS, 60–70, p = 0.03) and tumor site (other than vs. hypopharynx, p = 0.0001) were associated with lower OS. Patients with clinical stage (III vs. IVa/b, p = 0.01), tumor stage (T1/2 vs. T3/4, p = 0.015), N stage (N0/1 vs. N2/3, p = 0.04), (KPS 60–70, p = 0.04) and tumor site (other than vs. hypopharynx, p = 0.0001) had worst CS. For the LRC, clinical stage (III vs. IVa/b, p = 0.02), tumor stage (T1/2 vs. T3/4, p = 0.02), treatment type (CRT vs. RT, p = 0.02), RT technique (IMRT vs. 2DRT/3DRT, p = 0.0001), and tumor site (other than vs. hypopharynx, p = 0.02) were significant. In the MVA, KPS maintained significant for OS and CS. For LRC, clinical stage (Iva/b, p = 0.007), tumor stage (T3/4, p = 0.047) and radiotherapy technique other than IMRT (p = 0.0001) were significant. CONCLUSION: The OS, CS, and LRC were associated with several prognostic factors. The clinical performance was the main marker of OS and CS. Chemoradiation should be offered to selected elderly patients using IMRT to improve LRC.