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Head and neck cancer and ageing: a retrospective study in 438 patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Luigi Barzan ,
Andrea Veronesi ,
Giuseppe Caruso ,
Diego Serraino ,
Donatella Magri ,
Vittorina Zagonel ,
Umberto Tirelli ,
Roberto Comoretto  and
S. Monfardini
Luigi Barzan*
Affiliation:
(Italy)
Andrea Veronesi
Affiliation:
(Italy)
Giuseppe Caruso
Affiliation:
(Italy)
Diego Serraino
Affiliation:
(Italy)
Donatella Magri
Affiliation:
(Italy)
Vittorina Zagonel
Affiliation:
(Italy)
Umberto Tirelli
Affiliation:
(Italy)
Roberto Comoretto
Affiliation:
(Italy)
S. Monfardini
Affiliation:
(Italy)
*
Luigi Barzan, Division of Otolaryngology, General Hospital of Pordenone, Via Montereale, 33170 Pordenone, Italy
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Abstract

To evaluate whether age over 70 years represents a prognostic factor in head and neck cancer, we reviewed all cases observed between 1981 and 1984. Four hundred and thirty-eight (438) patients were considered in relation to three age groups (<59, 60–69, and >70 years, defined as non-elderly, mid-elderly and elderly respectively).

The main parameters analyzed included histological diagnosis (no difference emerged among the three age groups); anatomical site (hypopharyngeal carcinoma was most frequent in non-elderly patients); TNM stage (an higher incidence of early stages was seen in the elderly); performance status (better in the nonelderly); previous illnesses (life-style related diseases were more frequent in the non-elderly); contraindications to surgery (more frequent in the elderly); surgical treatment (‘en bloc’ resections were more often employed in the non-elderly); post-operative complications and local control (no difference between the three groups); multiple primary malignancies (head and neck, oesophagus and lung were more frequent in non-elderly patients) and survival (no difference).

Although age affects several features of head and neck cancer patients, it does not appear from the present study to be an independent prognostic factor for local control and survival. With regard to survival, stage appeared to be the most important prognostic factor.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 104 , Issue 8 , August 1990 , pp. 634 - 640
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1990

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