Impact of age on acute toxicity induced by bio- or chemo-radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze acute toxicity encountered in young and old patients treated with chemo-radiation or bio-radiation at the S. Croce General Hospital between 1997 and 2008, in daily clinical practice.


METHODS
Three hundred and seventeen patients were allocated into two groups according to age (cut-off 65 years). The two groups were compared in terms of treatment related toxicities, treatment activity and efficacy. Epidermal Growth factor receptor (EGFr), Human papillomavirus (HPV) and p53 status were also considered.


RESULTS
As expected, overall survival was significantly worse in elderly patients (p=0.005), but response rate, including complete response rate, was similar between the two age groups, as were most of the side effects analyzed. However, infections (p=0.011) and in particular pneumonias (p=0.002) were significantly more represented in elderly patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly patients treated with chemo-radiation or bio-radiation in our centre had a higher risk of infection and in particular, pneumonia. These data suggest a more careful follow-up, but age alone does not justify their exclusion from treatment.
Dept. of Medical Oncology, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy. Electronic address: mcmerlano@gmail.com.
Marco C
MC
Merlano
Dept. of Medical Oncology, Translational Oncology Lab, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Martino
M
Monteverde
Dept. of Medical Oncology, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Ida
I
Colantonio
Dept. of Medical Oncology, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy; Dept. of Human Pathology, Messina University, Italy.
Nerina
N
Denaro
Dept. of Medical Oncology, Translational Oncology Lab, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Cristiana
C
Lo Nigro
Dept. of Medical Oncology, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Guido
G
Natoli
Dept. of Medical Oncology, Clinical Trials Office, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Francesco
F
Giurlanda
Dept. of Medical Oncology, Aosta General Hospital, Aosta, Italy.
Gianmauro
G
Numico
Dept. of Radiation Therapy, S. Croce General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Elvio
E
Russi
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D016158:Genes, p53; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D066246:ErbB Receptors