Treatment profiles in patients with cancer aged 80 years or more

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19620 Background: There is much criticism about the omission of very elderly patients (>80 years old) from clinical trials. The question is raised as to whether results of clinical trials performed with younger pts (usually <75 years) can be extrapolated to the very elderly population. The most recent Irish census predicts that those aged =80 yrs is set to rise dramatically from the 2001 level of 98,000 to a projected 323,000 in 2036. Accordingly oncologists will have to plan carefully to appropriately treat these pts. Methods: A retrospective review of all new pts referrals aged =80 years was performed for the period Sept. 2005 to Sept. 2006. Pts records were analysed for age, cancer diagnosis, co-morbidities, treatment plan and complications. Results: A total of 52 referrals were identified but records were available for only 49 pts. The average age was 83.7 years (80–93yrs). The M:F ratio was 1.04:1. The 4 most common cancers were Colorectal (20%), lung (18%), oesophageal (12%) and breast (10%). The mean number of co-morbidities was 5. 13 pts (26%) had a previous unrelated cancer diagnosis. 19 patients (38.8%) received cancer treatment (see table ). Three other pts were offered chemotherapy but declined citing age and fear of side effects as their reasons. 68% of patients receiving cancer treatment had a performance status (PS) of ECOG =1. The main reasons cited for not giving cancer treatment were poor PS (21), comorbidities (13), or patient preference (3). 75% of patients receiving chemotherapy were on schedule with no delays. Only 25% (2) of patients experienced delays due to toxicity. Conclusion: In this diverse group of very elderly cancer pts, those that received cancer treatment tolerated it reasonably well. However, 55% of pts were deemed unfit for cancer treatment at presentation due to poor performance status or compromising co-morbidities. This fact must be taken into account when setting recruitment targets for this age group when planning oncology clinical trials. No significant financial relationships to disclose. [Table: see text]