Clinical aspects of transoral laser surgery and neck dissection for oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer in elderly patients [Klinische Aspekte der transoralen Laserchirurgie und Neck-Dissection bei Oro- und Hypopharynxkarzinomen im fortgeschrittenen Lebensalter]

Background: The number of elderly patients with head and neck cancer is increasing. However, there are few valid data on postoperative course after head and neck cancer surgery in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncological outcome of elderly patients after surgical treatment for oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer. Material and methods: The clinical data of 81 patients, separated into two age groups (62 < 65 years vs. 19 ≥ 65 years), were retrospectively analysed. The cohort comprised T1 and T2 oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer patients, who had undergone primary treatment with transoral laser surgery and neck dissection. Overall and disease-free survival times of the patients were analysed. Additionally, comorbidities and perioperative complications were compared between the two age groups. Median follow-up time was 5.9 years. Results: Comparison of different clinical and histopathological data revealed no significant differences between the age groups. The Kaplan-Meier method revealed no significant difference in disease-free survival between the age groups (p = 0.52). Age had no effect on disease-free survival in uni- or multivariate analysis (p = 0.53 vs. 0.94). Surgery-related complications were observed in 13 patients (16 %), 11 cases of which concerned the younger group of patients. Conclusion: Transoral laser surgery and neck dissection can lead to satisfactory oncological and surgical outcomes in elderly patients with oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.