Concurrent Radiation Therapy And Weekly Docetaxel In Elderly Patients With Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

16539 Background: Orofaringeal cancer is one frequent localization in developing countries like Romania. Our purpose is to evaluate the compliance and efficacy of concurrent weekly docetaxel and radiation therapy as definitive treatment for elderly patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: 20 patients, over 65 years of age, with primary oropharyngeal cancer, who were treated with concurrent docetaxel and radiation therapy, were reported between January 2003 and December 2005. The distribution depending on stage was: stage II - 4 patients, stage III - 6 patients, stage IV - 10 patients (IV A - 7 patients and IV B - 3 patients). The total dose of radiotherapy was 70 Gy. Chemotherapy was delivered weekly and consisted in Docetaxel 20 mg/sqm. 4 more cycles of chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/sqm day 1 and cisplatin 75 mg/sqm day 1 every three or four weeks according to hematologic tolerance) were administrated after concurrent radiochemotherapy. Results: Only 2 patients interrupted the radiochemotherapy due to related toxicities, especially acute grade III - IV mucositis. Grade III - IV hematological toxicities were observed in 5 patients, and grade III - IV mucositis in 4 patients. At the time of analysis 18 patients are alive and 11 of them are disease free. Conclusions: Concurrent weekly docetaxel and radiation therapy did not affect patients’ compliance to treatment; acute toxicities were in acceptable limits. Concurrent radio - chemotherapy was well tolerated and results and acute toxicities were comparable with younger patients. Elderly cancer patients should be offered optimal treatment depending on their functional status not on chronological age. No significant financial relationships to disclose.