P3-7-1 - The Efficacy of Chemotherapy for Elderly Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Opportunities to give chemotherapy for elderly advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients are increasing with aging of population. As patients over 76 years of age had been excluded from many clinical trials until recently, relatively weaker evidences exist about the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy for AGC in this population.Purpose: The aim of the study is to elucidate the efficacy of the chemotherapy of the elderly AGC patients in our hospital.Method: Retrospective reviews of 150 AGC patients who receive chemotherapies in Osaki Citizen Hospital from October 2010 to March 2013 were undertaken. We defined ‘younger’ as those patients aged 75 years or younger, and ‘elderly’' as aged over 76 years. We retrospectively compared the treatment regimen and efficacy.Result: Among the 150 patients, the number of younger and elderly AGC patients was 94 and 56 respectively. Seven younger patients and 15 elderly patients received BSC alone. Introduction rate of chemotherapy for the elderly was lower than that for younger patients. Median TTF of the whole chemotherapy of younger and elderly patients was 213 days and 200 days, respectively, with no significant difference.Conclusion: It is often difficult to introduce chemotherapy for elderly patients, because of their organ dysfunction, comorbidities, or social backgrounds. This study suggested, if applied properly, the prolongation of survival by chemotherapy may be expected in elderly as well as in younger AGC patients.