[Indication and problems of radiation therapy of elderly patients with cancer]

The incidence of cancer and the patients treated with radiation therapy increased with age. Of 5778 patients treated with radiation therapy at the Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, 37.5% are over 65, and 10.8% are over 75 years old. Older patients with cancer have a lower survival rate. Patients over the age of 75 with carcinoma of the pharynx, esophagus, lung, and uterine cervix have decreased survival compared with younger patients. However, for the patients with carcinoma of the larynx, age is not a determinant of prognosis. With respect to radiation therapy, it is not clear whether elderly patients differ from younger ones in responsiveness. However, a decreased tolerance for radiation therapy might be expected and under-dosing with radiation therapy may be more prevalent. More study of the optimal management of elderly patients with cancer is needed.