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Changes in performance status of elderly patients after radiotherapy
H Yamazaki1, T Inoue, K Yoshida
1Department of Radiology, Toyonaka Municipal Hospital, Japan.
Radiation Medicine
|April 18, 2001
Summary
External radiation therapy is feasible for elderly patients aged 80 and over, with outcomes comparable to younger individuals. Poor performance status, however, significantly impacts treatment completion in palliative radiotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Assessing the feasibility and outcomes of external radiation therapy in elderly patients (80 years and older).
- Evaluating the impact of age on treatment completion and performance status changes in radiotherapy patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if advanced age is a limiting factor for external radiation therapy.
- To identify factors influencing performance status changes and treatment interruptions in radiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of performance status (PS) changes in 1353 patients undergoing external radiotherapy.
- Assessment of factors affecting PS changes and treatment interruption in radical and palliative radiotherapy.
Main Results:
- Patients aged 80+ showed significantly less PS deterioration (3%) compared to younger patients (10%).
- Treatment completion rates were high and similar for both elderly (90%) and younger (89%) patients.
- Palliative radiotherapy showed more PS changes than radical radiotherapy; poor performance status predicted lower treatment completion rates in palliative cases.
Conclusions:
- Age is not a limiting factor for external radiation therapy.
- Poor performance status is a significant predictor of treatment interruption, particularly in palliative radiotherapy.