Variations in Treatment Prescription and Survival Outcomes Between Older and Younger Patients With Mucosal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Radiotherapy
Retrospective review reveals disparities in treatment and survival for older and younger patients with head and neck cancer, suggesting needed improvements.
Key Points
To examine differences in treatment prescriptions and survival outcomes between older and younger patients with mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy.
Multicenter retrospective review of patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2018
Collected data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment received, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS)
Performed multivariable analyses to identify factors influencing treatment and survival outcomes.
Of 1553 patients, 432 were ≥ 70 years old. Older patients received curative treatment significantly less often than younger patients.
Three-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were lower in older patients, with ECOG status, stage, and treatment type significantly associated with OS and PFS.
Older age and smoking history were significantly linked to lower OS, although not PFS.