RADIOTHERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT DISEASES AGED 85 YEARS OR OLDER

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  • 85歳以上の超高齢者悪性腫瘍に対する放射線治療の検討

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Abstract

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and problems of radiotherapy for patients aged 85 or older.<br>Patients and Methods: Forty-five patients were assessed (oldest old group): They were 85 years of age or older and had received radiotherapy between September 2002 and September 2005. Sixty-nine patients, 75 years of age at the start of radiotherapy, were also assessed (old group).<br>Results: In the oldest old group, there were 21 men and 24 women, and median age was 87 years (range; 85-99). The sites of disease were: 10 in head and neck, 5 in lung, 5 in malignant lymphoma, 4 in skin, 4 in esophagus, 2 in breast, 2 in uterine cervix , 2 in rectum, 2 in soft tissue, 2 in metastatic bone tumor, 7 in others. The treatment was deemed curative in 49%, palliative in 40%, and others in 11%. Treatment fields were limited due to performance status (PS) or age in 13 patients. The rate of treatment completion was 91% (41/45). Eleven of 26 inpatients were admitted because of difficulty in hospital visit. Seventeen of 19 outpatients needed familial escort. Of patients completed radiotherapy, 47% of the patients achieved CR, 37% achieved PR, and 16% achieved NC in the group of curative radiotherapy, and 88% of the patients achieved effective response, and only 2 cases resulted in ineffective response in the group of palliative radiotherapy. While only one patient received grade 3 dermatitis and mucositis, other patients received grade 2 and below adverse events. Three patients resulted in deterioration of PS, and 2 patients deteriorated dementia. Although higher rates in female patients, worse PS, and limitation of treatment field were seen in the oldest old group, there were no significant difference in terms of the rate of treatment completion, effectiveness, and adverse events between the two groups.<br>Conclusion: Our study showed radiotherapy is effective and well tolerated in patients aged 85 or older. Considering the oldest old requiring radiotherapy continues to increase, a supporting system for patients and their families is needed. (Article in Japanese)

Journal

  • The Journal of JASTRO

    The Journal of JASTRO 19 (4), 283-287, 2007

    Japanese Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

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