ABSTRACT
Introduction: Half of patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer (LS SCLC) are >70 years, but account for <20% of participants in most trials. Comorbidities, reduced organ- and physical function might lead to more treatment toxicity and population-based studies indicate that fewer older than younger LS SCLC patients receive standard chemoradiotherapy, although there is limited evidence for such a policy.
Methods: We compared baseline characteristics, comorbidity, survival, treatment completion, toxicity, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment outcomes between patients >70 and <70 years in an open label randomized phase II trial comparing twice-daily thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) of 45 Gy in 30 fractions with 60 Gy in 40 fractions in LS SCLC. All patients received concurrent platinum/etoposide chemotherapy.
Results: 170 patients who were >18 years and had performance status (PS) 0-2 were randomized. Of these, 53 patients (60 Gy:25, 45 Gy:28) were >70 years and 117 (60 Gy:64, 45 Gy:53) were younger. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, treatment completion rates, toxicity, or response rates across age groups. HRQoL mean scores was similar during year one, but older patients reported more decline on functional scales than younger patients during year two. OS was significantly shorter for older patients while there was no significant difference in PFS or TTP.
Conclusion: Patients >70 years tolerated concurrent twice daily chemoradiotherapy and achieved similar disease control as younger patients, indicating that older patients should receive the same treatment as younger patients.
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