Lack of Impact of Age on Acute Side Effects and Tolerance ofCurative Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of age on the occurrence, severity, and timing ofacute side effects related to radiotherapy. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: We analysed the data of 423 patients. <br/><b>Results</b>:Of the patients, 295 (70%) were under the age of 65 (group 1) and 128 (30%) were over the age of 65 (group 2).The frequencies of radiotherapy-induced side effects were 89% in group 1 and 87% in group 2 (p=0.286). Themean times to occurrence were 2.5±0.1 weeks in group 1 and 2.2±0.1 weeks in group 2 (p=0.013). Treatment wasended in 2% of patients in group 1 and 6% of those in group 2 (p=0.062). Treatment interruption was identifiedin 18% of patients in group 1 and 23% in group 2 (p=0.142). Changes in performance status were greater in olderpatients (p=0.013). There were no significant differences according to the frequency or severity of side effects,except skin and genitourinary complications, between the groups. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Early normal tissue reactionswere not higher in older versus younger patients, though there was a tendency towards an earlier appearance.