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Lack of impact of age on acute side effects and tolerance of curative radiation therapy.

AIM
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of age on the occurrence, severity, and timing of acute side effects related to radiotherapy.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analysed the data of 423 patients.


RESULTS
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). The mean 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 was ended in 2% of patients in group 1 and 6% of those in group 2 (p=0.062). Treatment interruption was identified in 18% of patients in group 1 and 23% in group 2 (p=0.142). Changes in performance status were greater in older patients (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.


CONCLUSIONS
Early normal tissue reactions were not higher in older versus younger patients, though there was a tendency towards an earlier appearance.