Retrospective review of cancer patients ≥80 years old treated with chemotherapy at a comprehensive cancer center

ContextThe percentage of cancer patients ≥80 years old is expected to increase in the next few years. However data on the use of chemotherapy in these patients are limited.ObjectiveWe conducted a retrospective review to define the profile of patients ≥80 years old who received chemotherapy at our center and assess their survival.Design, setting and participantsPatients ≥80 years treated with chemotherapy between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004 were included in this analysis.ResultsOf the 4689 patients treated with chemotherapy over the 5-year period, 133 patients (3%) were ≥80 years old. The median age was 83 years. 61% were females and 39% were males. 16% had hematologic tumors and 84% had solid tumors. Gynecological (32%) and aerodigestive cancers (27%) were the most common sites and lung cancer (22%) was the most common cancer. During the first regimen, 512 cycles of chemotherapy were delivered with a median of 3 cycles (range: 1–24 cycles). 49% received single and 51% multidrug regimens. Carboplatin was the most common single agent and carboplatin and paclitaxel was the most common combination among solid tumor patients. 19% of solid tumor patients received radiation with chemotherapy. The 1-year survival among hematologic cancer and solid tumor patients was 65% and 48%, respectively. Stage of disease was the only statistically significant factor predicting survival.ConclusionsIn cancer patients ≥80 years old selected for chemotherapy, both single and multi-agent therapy appeared to be feasible.