Tumours of the head and neck in the elderly: analysis of 190 patients

Tumours of the head and neck represent approximately 5% of human neoplasms. More than 50% of the patients are above 65 years of age. During the years 1991-1996, 190 patients aged 65 or more and suffering from oro-facial neoplasms were treated in our department. They represent 48.6% of the total number of hospitalized tumour patients. One hundred and ten were male and 80 female. Benign tumours were found in 42 patients whereas 148 patients presented with malignant tumours. Of the malignant tumours, squamous cell carcinoma occurred in 103 patients and salivary gland tumours were the most frequently encountered benign tumours (12 patients). All patients with benign tumours were treated surgically. Of the 148 patients with malignant neoplasms, 116 were treated by surgery alone or in combination with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, and the remaining 32 with radiotherapy. Mortality from cancer was 28.1% and mortality from other causes was 5.8%. Postoperative morbidity in the benign tumour group of patients was minimal. In the malignant tumour group of patients, where the magnitude of surgical treatment was greater, there were no intraoperative or immediate postoperative deaths. Five patients died postoperatively whilst in hospital. Deaths were attributed to pre-existing medical problems. It is concluded that the age of the patient is not an important factor in determining the extent of surgical treatment in patients with tumours of the head and neck.