Outcomes With Optimal Treatment in Geriatric Head and Neck Cancers – Tertiary Cancer Centre Experience

Aim: Older patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers (LA-HNC) are under-represented in clinical trials and denied standard treatment with concurrent Chemo-radiation. Most are treated with Radiotherapy (RT) alone. However, with the use of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and good supportive care, even this cohort of patients can be considered for chemo-radiation. Methods and Materials: 69 patients with age >65 years with LA-HNC treated between April 2015 and December 2019 in our Institute were prospectively evaluated for treatment compliance and outcomes. All patients were planned to receive 70Gy in 33-35 fractions with IMRT and weekly Cisplatin at a dose of 40mg/m2 (or Carboplatin-AUC-2). Loco-regional Control (LRC), Overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors were evaluated. Results: Median age at presentation was 67 years (65-81). 54 were male. 64% had Karnofsky Performance Status of >90. 42% had Oropharyngeal Primary. 17% had co-morbidities. 66% had T3 disease, 77% had Node positive disease. 54% had stage III disease. All patients completed 70Gy. 81% patients received at least 5 (>200mg/m2) chemotherapy cycles. Acute Grade3 toxicity was seen in 20% of patients. 64% had complete response. With a median follow up of 23.6 months (3-71), OS was 53.5%. Estimated 2-year LRC was 60%; estimated 2- and 5-year OS was 53.5% and 34.3% respectively. On Univariate analysis, age <70 years, Cisplatin use, limited nodal disease, Stage III and complete response to treatment showed good OS (p<0.05). Conclusion: Definitive chemo-IMRT approach in older LA-HNC is well tolerated with good clinical outcomes. Hence older age should not be a barrier for standard treatment.