RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Mono- and Bi-weekly Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Epithelial Skin Cancer in Very Elderly Patients
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 825
OP 830
VO 37
IS 2
A1 VALERIANI, MAURIZIO
A1 NICOSIA, LUCA
A1 AGOLLI, LINDA
A1 REVERBERI, CHIARA
A1 GALVAGNO, EMANUELA
A1 DE SANCTIS, VITALIANA
A1 MINNITI, GIUSEPPE
A1 CARLESIMO, MARTA
A1 OSTI, MATTIA F.
YR 2017
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/37/2/825.abstract
AB Background/Aim: Epithelial skin cancer frequently occurs in the elderly population, sometimes in an advanced stage, when intensive treatments are needed. Radiotherapy can achieve high response rates. We evaluated efficacy and tolerability of hypofractionated radiotherapy in a population of very elderly patients with locally advanced epithelial skin cancer. Patients and Methods: Two different hypofractionated schedules were administered (21 patients): 6 Gy in 10 bi-weekly fractions (13 lesions) and 5 Gy in 12 bi-weekly fractions (13 lesions). Median age at treatment was 88 years, life expectancy was ≤5 years in 90.5%. Results: The overall response rate was 96.1%, with 92.4% complete responses. All patients experienced an improvement of their symptoms and a reduction of pain and medication. The median overall survival time was 28 months (95% confidence interval=4.7-51.2 months). At the time of analysis, 52.3% of patients had died. Conclusion: Hypofractionated radiotherapy is an effective option of treatment, with low toxicity and optimal results, and can also be safely administered to these frail patients.