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Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Radiation therapy for cervical cancer in the elderly
Hitoshi Ikushima1, Yoshihiro Takegawa, Kyohsuke Osaki
1Department of Radiology, The University of Tokushima, 3-18-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 7708508, Japan.
Gynecologic Oncology
|August 21, 2007
Summary
Radical radiation therapy (RT) for cervical cancer is effective and well-tolerated in elderly patients. Advanced age is not a contraindication for RT, with clinical stage being the main prognostic factor.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Cervical cancer disproportionately affects older women.
- Radical radiation therapy (RT) is a standard treatment for cervical cancer.
- Long-term outcomes and tolerance of RT in elderly cervical cancer patients require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of radical radiation therapy (RT) for cervical cancer in elderly populations.
- To compare treatment outcomes across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 727 cervical cancer patients treated with radical RT.
- Patients categorized into three age groups: /=75 years (older group).
- Comparison of disease-specific survival rates and late radiation morbidity.
Main Results:
- Disease-specific survival rates at 5/10 years were 60%/52% (younger), 76%/68% (young-old), and 66%/57% (older).
- No significant difference in survival between the older group and younger groups.
- Young-old group showed significantly superior survival compared to the younger group (p<0.001). Clinical stage was the sole significant prognostic variable.
- Late radiation morbidity (grades 2-4) occurred in 22% (younger), 31% (young-old), and 8% (older) of patients.
Conclusions:
- Radical RT is well-tolerated in elderly cervical cancer patients.
- Patient age is not a significant prognostic factor for treatment outcomes.
- Advanced age should not preclude patients from receiving radical RT for cervical cancer.
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