ISSN:
1437-7772
Keywords:
Patterns of Care
;
Study
;
Esophageal cancer Radiation therapy
;
The elderly
;
Parameter survey
;
Age
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background. In Japan, the elderly population is growing rapidly, and therefore, so is the number of cancer patients who are not good candidates for aggressive surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy offers excellent potential for the treatment of such patients, with minimal invasion and functional preservation. A Patterns of Care Study (PCS) examined the parameters of treatments used for patients with esophageal cancer to determine nationwide variations by age. Methods. From July 1996 through February 1997, external nationwide PCS audits were performed for 29 institutions. Medical charts were reviewed for 455 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer treated between 1992 and 1994. The parameters of treatments used for these patients were compared between those aged ≥75 years (elderly; n = 113) and those aged 〈75 years (yourger; n = 342). Results. Surgery was used in 49% of the younger group and in 17% of the elderly group (P 〈 0.0001) while chemotherapy was used in 48% of the younger and 24% of the older group (P 〈 0.0001). The ratio of non-surgery group with radiation therapy increased significantly from 49% to 82% (P 〈 0.0001). Approximately 70% of the non-surgery patients received an external radiation dose of more than 60Gy, even in the elderly (P = 0.3001). Preliminary results showed no significant difference in survival between the two age groups (P = 0.5559). Conclusions. The use of radiation therapy in elderly people with esophageal cancer has increased markedly. The PCS provided important information about variations in radiotherapy parameters in patients with esophageal cancer in relation to age. Such information should be useful for future prospective studies of the elderly.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00539217
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