title: Impact of age at diagnosis on prognosis and treatment in laryngeal cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Oncology, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. johan.reizenstein@orebroll.se
authors: Johan A
authors: JA
authors: Reizenstein
authors: Stefan N
authors: SN
authors: Bergström
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Holmberg
authors: Arne
authors: A
authors: Linder
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Ekman
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Blomquist
authors: Britta
authors: B
authors: Lödén
authors: Marit
authors: M
authors: Holmqvist
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Hellström
authors: Christer O
authors: CO
authors: Nilsson
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Brattström
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bergqvist
mesh_terms: 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