Head and neck cancer in the elderly: a cohort study in 40 patients.
BACKGROUND
In the industrialized nations of the Western hemisphere the age group beyond 75 years will grow steadily, requiring special attention by medical professionals in the future. With regard to these expectations 40 patients, beyond the age of 75 and who were first diagnosed to suffer from squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract, were analysed.


METHODS
Forty patients diagnosed and treated between 1998 and 2003 for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were analysed.


RESULTS
Laryngeal carcinoma was noted in 80% of the patients. All types of treatment were tolerated well. Patient compliance was generally good and the rate of complications was low.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study show that HNSCC in elderly patients should be treated with curative intention. Age itself should never be a sole factor in deciding which curative therapy should be undertaken. Exceptions could be made in patients with severe general comorbidity.
Sesterhenn
Andreas M
AM
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Philipps-University of Marburg, Germany.
Teymoortash
Afshin
A
Folz
Benedikt J
BJ
Werner
Jochen A
JA
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis