Chemotherapy toxicity in elderly population ≥65 years: A tertiary care hospital experience from India
Context: Trials in the elderly have established that older individuals may benefit from chemotherapy to the same extent as younger individuals. Although the elderly patient is a prototype for cancer, very few clinical trials focus on the therapeutic decisions most directly facing older adults. Aims:...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijmpo.org/article.asp?issn=0971-5851;year=2019;volume=40;issue=4;spage=531;epage=535;aulast=Mittal |
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| Summary: | Context: Trials in the elderly have established that older individuals may benefit from chemotherapy to the same extent as younger individuals. Although the elderly patient is a prototype for cancer, very few clinical trials focus on the therapeutic decisions most directly facing older adults. Aims: This study was undertaken to study the chemotherapy-induced severe toxicity among elderly. Settings and Design: This study was a prospective, observational cohort study. The study commenced in October 2014 after obtaining clearance from the hospital ethics and protocol committee. Subjects and Methods: A total of 100 patients were included in the study. All patients were of age ≥65 years, had malignancy, and were planned to start with chemotherapy. Development of Grade 3/4/5 nonhematologic (NH) or Grade 4/5 hematologic (H) toxicities was taken as the development of severe toxicity. Statistical Analysis Used: The quantitative variables were expressed as a mean ± standard deviation and compared using unpaired t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 64 (64%) patients were able to complete their prescribed treatment. Forty-four patients (44%) of our study cohort experienced Grade 4 H or Grade 3/4 NH toxicity. The most common H Grade 4 toxicities were neutropenia (6%) and thrombocytopenia (5%). The most common NH toxicities were fatigue (18%), infection (10%), and cardiac abnormalities (4%). Conclusions: Less than 50% of elderly patients experience severe chemotherapy-related toxicity. First 30 days are most important for toxicity assessment as 45% of patients experienced toxicity in this time frame. |
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| ISSN: | 0971-5851 0975-2129 |