Tolerability and outcomes of curative radiotherapy in patients aged 85 or more years

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the tolerability and survival outcome of curative radiotherapy in patients over the age of 85 years. Design, setting, and participants: Retrospective analysis of all patients aged over 85 years who received radiotherapy as part of curative treatment for any cancer (excluding insignificant skin cancers) at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2010. Main outcome measures: Poor treatment tolerability (defined as hospital admission during radiotherapy, treatment break, or early treatment cessation); predictors for poor treatment tolerability, overall survival and cancer-specific survival. Results: 327 treatment courses met eligibility crite..