International Journal of Gerontology
Volume 3, Issue 1 , Pages 75-80, March 2009

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity in the Elderly

  • Yi-Shing Leu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan
    • National Defense Medical Center, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Yi-Shing Leu, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, 92, Section 2, Chung-Shan North Road, Taipei 10449, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Yi-Fang Chang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Jehn-Chuan Lee

      Affiliations

    • Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Chung-Ji Liu

      Affiliations

    • Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Department of School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Hung-Tao Hsiao

      Affiliations

    • Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Yu-Jen Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiation Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Hong-Wen Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiation Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Department of Hospice Center, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Ya-Ping Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

Accepted 17 February 2009.

Article Outline

SUMMARY 

Background

As the population of older patients continues to grow and impact society, especially in developed countries, these individuals will require more medical attention. As such, it is important to compare the survival rates of patients suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma beyond 65 years of age with younger patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of 418 patients diagnosed and treated between 2004 and 2006 for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity at Mackay Memorial Hospital was carried out. Patients were divided two groups with a cut-off age of 65. Staging, overall survival and disease-free survival were determined for both populations.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in stage I (p = 0.901 in overall survival [OS], p = 0.889 in disease-free survival [DFS]), stage II (p = 0.345 in OS, p = 0.169 in DFS), stage III (p = 0.348 in OS, p = 0.119 in DFS), stage IVB (p = 0.234 in OS, p = 0.236 in DFS) or stage IVC (p = 0.086 in OS). The survival after treatment was better in the younger group than the older group for stage IVA (p = 0.009 in OS, p = 0.005 in DFS).

Conclusion

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity did not have a significantly different outcome for elderly patients when compared with younger patients. Elderly patients with stage IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity had poorer survival rates. When properly evaluated and monitored, conservative and conventional therapies seemed efficacious in the elderly.

Key Words:  elderly , geriatric oncology , oral cavity , squamous cell carcinoma

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References 

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PII: S1873-9598(09)70023-7

doi:10.1016/S1873-9598(09)70023-7

International Journal of Gerontology
Volume 3, Issue 1 , Pages 75-80, March 2009

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