Functional morbidities in patients ≥ 65 years compared with younger patients undergoing organ preservation therapy (OPT) for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of larynx (L) or propharynx (OP)

Abstract

16533 Background: Advanced age is shown to be associated with increased late toxicity and minimal clinical benefit in head and neck cancer patients receiving aggressive or combined modality therapies. Elderly may also have delayed functional recovery after OPT. We conducted a retrospective study in patients = 65 years with L or O SCC undergoing OPT to compare functional outcome/ recovery with younger patients undergoing similar treatment. Methods: Patients with L or O SCC from January 1996-January 2006 who underwent OPT were retrospectively studied and stratified into 2 groups: = 65 or < 65 years based on age at diagnosis. Dysphagia, gastrostomy (g) tube dependence, speech quality and weight loss at diagnosis, 3 and 9 months post therapy were compared. Swallowing and speech were evaluated by 2 specially trained therapists based on the Swallowing Performance Scale and GBRAS Scale (perceptual impression of voice quality) respectively. Student z-test and t-test were used in statistical analysis for comparison between patient proportion and mean values. Results: One hundred and twenty patients (L 74 and OP 46) received OPT, of which 43 were excluded (recurrence/inadequate records). Of the 77 (L 54 and O 23) patients analyzed (KPS 80–100), 44 (57%) were = 65 and 33 (43%) <65; more patients aged <65 had advanced stage; 14 patients (31%) = 65 and 16 (48%) <65 received CRT or altered fractionation RT, rest of the patients received standard RT. Elderly group had greater proportion of patients with continued weight loss and higher incidence of dysphonia (70% vs 43% z-score 2.97, p=0.003) at 3 and 9 months than younger patients. Of 19 patients in the elderly group with g-tube, 13 were g-tube dependant at 3 months (68%) vs 12/23 (52%) in the younger population. Conclusions: Elderly may have persistent functional morbidity compared to younger patients receiving similar OPT. As the goal of OPT is to improve functional outcome, careful assessment of risk benefit ratio in the elderly is warranted before administering aggressive therapies. No significant financial relationships to disclose.