The women with cervical cancer doubly penalized past 70 years

Age doubly penalizes women with cervical cancer who, beyond the age of 70, see decrease their chances of survival and those receiving aggressive treatment, noted the authors of a report published in the journal " Cancer ".
"The aging of the U.S. population has sharpened interest in treatments for older cancer patients, but there are very few data on the treatment of cancer of the cervix in this population," said Jason Wright, gynecological oncologist at Washington University in St. Louis, who participated in the work led by the center team Siteman Cancer Research.

These show that the mortality rate of cervical cancer among women aged at least 65 years to 7.6 per 100,000, while it is "only" 2.1 per 100,000 in the most young.

The analysis of data from more than 1,500 patients treated for invasive cervical cancer at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Siteman Center between 1986 and 2003 shows that at all stages of the tumor, an elderly patient 70 or older are less likely than younger women to be prescribed an aggressive treatment.

This is particularly the case of surgery, which was performed in 54% of those under age 70, against only 16% of seniors. For others, only radiotherapy was given, and at lower doses, and a five-fold survival, say the authors. Many were also willing to give up seeking treatment.

Besides the choice of treatment, tumor stage and comorbidities also affect survival. But according to the study, and for reasons that remain obscure in the eyes of the authors, age alone is a factor which exerts a strong influence on survival.

Thus, women over age 70 with cancer of the cervix were at risk of death increased by 1.6 on average, compared to women less than 70 years with tumors of the same grade, receiving same treatment with the same comorbidities.

The authors point out that elderly patients tolerate radiotherapy and surgery, and therefore recommend that doctors do not consider the age of their patients and act exactly like the other.