Elderly patients with head and neck cancer: physical, social and psychological aspects after 1 year.
OBJECTIVE
Elderly patients with head and neck cancer often receive non-standard treatment for reasons other than comorbidity. In this prospective study we investigated how elderly patients fare 1 year after treatment in comparison with their younger counterparts.


METHODS
Seventy patients aged 45-60 years and 51 patients aged > or = 70 years with cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx (stage II-IV) or larynx (stage III-IV) participated in the study before treatment and 1 year later. Each patient was interviewed and given a questionnaire concerning physical functioning, social contacts, depressive symptoms, satisfaction with treatment and future expectations.


RESULTS
At 12 months, patients in both age groups reported significantly more depressive symptoms and less social support than before treatment, and their Karnofsky Performance Score was lower. However, there were no differences between elderly and younger patients. Approximately 90% of those in both age groups said that they would choose the same treatment again, and there was no age difference regarding the impact of treatment or expectations for the future.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the impact of treatment on quality of life did not differ between elderly and younger patients with head and neck cancer. Therefore, standard treatment should be considered in elderly patients if no severe contraindications exist.
Derks
Wynia
W
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. w.derks@azu.nl
De Leeuw
Rob
R
Winnubst
Jacques
J
Hordijk
Gerrit Jan
GJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support