SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE ORAL CAVITY IN THE ELDERLY

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. [International Journal of Gerontology 2009; 3(1): 75-80]