Impact of age at diagnosis on prognosis and treatment in laryngeal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were to analyze how age affects treatment and treatment outcome, and to determine whether tumor characteristics differ between different age groups with laryngeal cancer.


METHODS
Patients with laryngeal cancer during 1978-2004 in the Uppsala-Orebro region in Sweden were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the 945 cases between age groups concerning major patient and tumor characteristics, such as male/female ratio, distribution of glottic/supraglottic tumors, stage, or site of recurrence. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were worse among the oldest, although a significant proportion was cured. Relapse risk was lower among the oldest (12%) compared with the youngest (23%). The risk of never becoming tumor-free was 25% among the oldest and 7% in the youngest. Among the most elderly, only 1 late recurrence occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly patients with laryngeal carcinoma cope well with treatment. Undertreatment may determine outcome more than age. The oldest group should be followed for a minimum of 2 years.
Reizenstein
Johan A
JA
Department of Oncology, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. johan.reizenstein@orebroll.se
Bergström
Stefan N
SN
Holmberg
Lars
L
Linder
Arne
A
Ekman
Simon
S
Blomquist
Erik
E
Lödén
Britta
B
Holmqvist
Marit
M
Hellström
Karin
K
Nilsson
Christer O
CO
Brattström
Daniel
D
Bergqvist
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013548:Sweden