title: The effect of age on survival and quality of life in elderly head and neck cancer patients: a long-term prospective study.
abstract: Little is known about long-term treatment outcome of elderly head and neck cancer patients and their quality of life (QOL). One hundred and eighteen older (>or=70 years) and 148 younger (45-60 years) patients with head and neck cancer were followed up for 3-6 years. In the long-term follow-up 33 younger and 24 older patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35 and a questionnaire about depression. The survival rate after 3-6 years for younger patients was 36%, as compared to 31% in the older patient group. Higher tumour stages, more co-morbidity and non-standard treatment showed to be independent prognostic factors for mortality. No independent prognostic value of age could be found. The global QOL score remains roughly comparable. Even up to 6 years after treatment, we found no significant differences in survival or overall QOL between older and younger head and neck cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.vanderschroeff@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Marc P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: van der Schroeff
authors.forename: Wynia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Derks
authors.forename: Gerrit Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hordijk
authors.forename: Rob J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: de Leeuw
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors