ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S163

Invited Speaker

ESTRO 2025

shaped the current therapeutic landscape by evaluating the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy, altered fractionation schedules, and targeted therapies in improving survival outcomes. However, treatment responses can vary significantly with age, posing challenges in the management of elderly patients. Meta-analyses indicate that older patients derive less benefit from standard treatment regimens compared to younger cohorts. This reduced efficacy may stem from factors such as decreased tolerance to intensive therapy, higher rates of comorbidities, and age-related alterations in tumor biology. Moreover, treatment-related toxicities often lead to higher rates of discontinuation or dose modifications, further impacting outcomes. This talk will first outline the standard radiation-based treatment options for HN cancer, drawing insights from key meta-analyses. It will then explore potential factors contributing to the decreased treatment efficacy in elderly patients, including physiological, biological, and treatment-related considerations. Understanding these challenges is crucial for optimizing treatment decisions and improving outcomes in this vulnerable population.