How old was the most elderly patient you have successfully treated with definitive radiation or chemoradiation for advanced oropharyngeal cancer?
Is there an age in which you would not offer definitive treatment?
How do systemic therapy options, dose, and field sizes change with age of the patient?
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How old was the oldest patient you treated successfully with definitive radiation for T2+ or N2+ oropharyngeal cancer?
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2 Answers
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Radiation Oncology · UCLA Medical Center
Answered on · Updated on
The timing of this question could not be more fitting, since I am currently treating a 97 y.o. gentleman with radiation therapy for his HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Upon his simulation, my therapist and nursing staff gave me a hard time for even offering the patient any cancer treatment. Lit...
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Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · Penn Medicine
Answered on · Updated on
The question with elderly patients should be whether length of life times magnitude of benefit warrants the toxicity and cost of treatment. Focusing on the length of life alone can obscure the fact the definitive treatment can alleviate pain and suffering far better than palliative treatment in a la...
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