Head and neck cancer in the elderly.
The elderly patient is making up an increasing percentage of our total population and the incidence of head and neck cancer in this group is high. A review of 758 cases seen at the London Regional Cancer Clinic is presented showing the prevalence of the disease in the elderly population and the unique distribution at certain sites of head and neck cancer as they occur. The survival of the elderly patient was found to be similar to that of the younger patient. The special considerations for management of these patients is examined under the following headings: anesthesia risks; reconstruction and wound healing; chemotherapy; and radiotherapy. With improvement in all four areas, outcome for the elderly patient with head and neck malignancy should improve.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care