Chemoradiation in elderly patients with head and neck cancers: a single institution experience

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiation in patients with head and neck cancers aged 65 and older.

Thirty-two elderly patients were treated with radical chemoradiation. Twenty-six (81.3%) out of thirty-two patients had stage III-IV disease. Twenty-nine (90.6%) patients received concurrent weekly cisplatin or carboplatin, 3 (9.4%) patients received concurrent cetuximab or nimotuzumab. Total dose of radiotherapy ranged from 66Gy to 70Gy.

Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) completed at least 5cycles of concurrent chemotherapy. Twenty-four (77.6%) patients achieved complete response. Fourteen (45.2%) patients experienced grade 3 mucositis. None of our patients developed grade 3 or above hematological toxicity. Loco-regional control and overall survival at 2year were 71.6% and 88.9%, respectively.

Chemoradiation in elderly patients with high precision radiotherapy is a feasible option.