Mono-and Bi-weekly hypofractionated radiation therapy for the treatment of epithelial skin cancer in very elderly patients

urs in the elderly population, sometimes in an
advanced stage, when intensive treatments are needed.
Radiotherapy can achieve high response rates. We evaluated
efficacy and tolerability of hypofractionated radiotherapy in
a population of very elderly patients with locally advanced
epithelial skin cancer. Patients and Methods: Two different
hypofractionated schedules were administered (21 patients):
6 Gy in 10 bi-weekly fractions (13 lesions) and 5 Gy in 12
bi-weekly fractions (13 lesions). Median age at treatment was
88 years, life expectancy was ≤5 years in 90.5%. Results: The
overall response rate was 96.1%, with 92.4% complete
responses. All patients experienced an improvement of their
symptoms and a reduction of pain and medication. The
median overall survival time was 28 months (95% confidence
interval=4.7-51.2 months). At the time of analysis, 52.3% of
patients had died. Conclusion: Hypofractionated
radiotherapy is an effective option of treatment, with low
toxicity and optimal results, and can also be safely
administered to these frail patients.
Epithelial skin cancer is a common neoplasm. The me