Chemoradiation in elderly patients with head and neck cancers: a single institution experience

AimsTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiation in patients with head and neck cancers aged 65 and older.Materials and methodsThirty-two elderly patients were treated with radical chemoradiation. Twenty-six (81.3%) out of thirty-two patients had stage III–IV disease. Twenty-nine (90.6%) patients received concurrent weekly cisplatin or carboplatin, 3 (9.4%) patients received concurrent cetuximab or nimotuzumab. Total dose of radiotherapy ranged from 66 Gy to 70 Gy.ResultsTwenty-nine patients (90.6%) completed at least 5 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy. Twenty-four (77.6%) patients achieved complete response. Fourteen (45.2%) patients experienced grade 3 mucositis. None of our patients developed grade 3 or above hematological toxicity. Loco-regional control and overall survival at 2 year were 71.6% and 88.9%, respectively.ConclusionsChemoradiation in elderly patients with high precision radiotherapy is a feasible option.