Feasibility of radiotherapy in nonagenarian patients: a retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose

Specific information about radiation therapy in nonagenarians is limited. In order to shed more light on the feasibility of radiotherapy in this challenging subgroup, a retrospective study was performed.

Methods

The data of 93 consecutive patients receiving irradiation treatment at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern between June 2005 and December 2016 were analyzed. Patient- and treatment-related factors were extracted from the patient records. Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from irradiation to death or last follow-up. The survival rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.

Results

The study population of 93 patients was between 90 and 99 years old (median 91 years). It included 59 women (63%) and 34 men (37%). Of these, 38 (41%) received definitive radiotherapy, 14 (15%) received neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy, whereas a palliative regimen was prescribed in 44% of the cases (n = 41). In all, 79 patients (85%) were able to complete their prescribed course of radiotherapy. While 16 (17%) patients reported grade 2 toxicities or higher, 4 had ≥grade 3 side effects (4%). The median survival was significantly higher in patients treated with adjuvant, neoadjuvant or definitive radiotherapy (13.8 months) compared to patients treated with palliative radiotherapy (3.6 months; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Even in patients managed without preradiotherapy comprehensive geriatric assessment, carefully planned fractionated radiotherapy was feasible and resulted in acceptable rates of acute toxicities.

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