The incidence and impact of comorbidity on survival and selection of initial treatment in elderly patients (pts) with head and neck cancer (HNC)

Abstract

6065 Background: Comorbidity has been shown to be a determinant of survival and treatment selection in various cancers including HNC. Higher comorbidity index is associated with higher utilization of non-curative intent treatment. Methods: In this retrospective study we analyzed 182 consecutively treated HNC pts >65 years (y) old at the Dallas VAMC from January 2000 through June 2007. Comorbidity was assessed with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Treatment was classified as curative intent versus non-curative intent. The goals were 1) to demonstrate burden of comorbidity and 2) to demonstrate the impact of comorbidity on overall survival and selection of initial treatment in elderly HNC pts. Results: Pts characteristics: 100% male; 80% white, 19.5% Black, 0.5% Hispanic; median age 72y (range 65–87); 3% stage 0, 26% stage I, 20% stage II, 18% stage III, 30% stage IV, 2% unknown; primary site - 30% oral cavity, 4% hypopharnyx, 22% oropharynx, 38% larynx, 4% other, 1% unknown; treatment - 26% radiation only, 44% surgery (S), 21% chemoradiation (CR), 9% no treatment; Median CCI -2 (range 0–11); 61% had CCI score 0–2 and 39% had CI score > 3. Median overall survival was 883 days (SE 19.31 days). Rate of curative vs. non-curative intent treatment was 80% vs. 20% respectively. Pts with CCI score 0–2 had a non-significant higher rate of curative intent treatment than pts with CCI score > 3 (83.8% vs. 74.6% p = 0.13). In multivariate analysis including CCI, age, race, alcohol use, primary site, treatment, and stage, only advanced clinical stage had significant prognostic importance (HR 1.66; 95% CI, 1.29 to 2.14; p < 0.0005). The HR for CCI was 1.11 (95% CI, .99–1.24; p = 0.08). In separate multivariate analyses of pts treated with S and pts treated with CR, CCI was not a significant predictor of survival with HR of .88 (95% CI, .69–1.11; p = 0.29) and 1.13 (95% CI, .83–1.53; p = 0.44), respectively. Conclusions: In our population of elderly HNC pts, CCI and age had no significant impact on survival or selection of curative intent treatment. Additional study is required to better define appropriate candidates for curative intent treatment in this population. No significant financial relationships to disclose.