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Review
. 2018 Aug;51(4):741-751.
doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2018.03.004. Epub 2018 May 23.

Head and Neck Cancer and the Elderly Patient

Affiliations
Review

Head and Neck Cancer and the Elderly Patient

Brian P Cervenka et al. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Management of head and neck cancer in the elderly patient is particularly challenging given the high morbidity associated with treatment. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have all been demonstrated as effective in older patients; however, older patients are more susceptible to treatment-induced toxicity, which can limit the survival benefits of certain interventions. This susceptibility is better associated with the presence of multiple comorbidities and decreasing functional status than with age alone. Screening tools allow for risk stratification, treatment deintensification, and even treatment avoidance in patients who are deemed at high-risk of being harmed by standard therapy.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Comprehensive elderly assessment; Elderly medicine; Head and neck cancer; Radiation therapy; Surgical therapy.

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