Impact of young age on prognosis for head and neck cancer: a matched-pair analysis.
BACKGROUND
: The purpose of this study was to review outcomes of young patients (age <40 years) treated with definitive radiotherapy alone for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, and larynx, and to compare these results with an older matched patient cohort.


METHODS
: Since 1983, 30 previously untreated young patients underwent definitive radiotherapy at the University of Florida and were matched with an older group of patients (age >45 years) with respect to primary site, stage of disease, and sex.


RESULTS
: There was no difference in cause-specific survival, locoregional control, or long-term complications between the two groups; however, there was a significant difference in overall survival favoring young patients (p = .0174). Older patients had twice as many second malignancies.


CONCLUSIONS
: Young age does not confer a worse prognosis in patients treated with definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and larynx.
Gilroy
Jeffrey S
JS
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida Health Science Center, P. O. Box 100385, Gainesville, FL 32610-0385, USA.
Morris
Christopher G
CG
Amdur
Robert J
RJ
Mendenhall
William M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000473:pathology; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome