An 'Older Old' Woman with Large Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nasal Pyramid: Excellent Response to Ultra-Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy

Bibliographic Details
Title: An 'Older Old' Woman with Large Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nasal Pyramid: Excellent Response to Ultra-Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy
Authors: Carla Pisani, Alessandra Gennari, Alessandro Carriero, Marco Krengli, Pierfrancesco Franco
Source: Radiation, Vol 4, Iss 3, Pp 232-241 (2024)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Subject Terms: elderly, hypofractionation, radiotherapy, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine, R895-920
More Details: A 98-year-old patient with cognitive impairment and a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal pyramid was referred to the radiation oncology department of our institution’s hospital given that surgery was not recommended. The lesion was sized 6 × 6 cm, ulcerated, and bleeding; was significantly impairing the patient’s health-related quality of life, causing pain; and was not responsive to analgesics, including opioids. The patient experienced deterioration of her general conditions, with a Karnofsky performance status of 40. A single radiotherapy (RT) fraction was delivered on a weekly basis for 3 weeks, up to a total dose of 21 Gy, using a VMAT technique (7 Gy/fraction). The patient was given three fractions of radiotherapy, during which she received continuous assistance due to episodes of mental disorientation and an altered sense of consciousness. One month after the conclusion of the treatment, the patient exhibited a nearly complete clinical response, with full pain relief and an improved health-related quality of life. This favourable clinical outcome was maintained for a period of four months following the conclusion of RT. A brief review was performed on the role of hypofractionated radiation therapy in elderly patients with locally advanced skin cancer of the head and neck region.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2673-592X
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-592X/4/3/18; https://doaj.org/toc/2673-592X
DOI: 10.3390/radiation4030018
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/c70c5cc74d5d48ddb5ab45e2e0bbb906
Accession Number: edsdoj.70c5cc74d5d48ddb5ab45e2e0bbb906
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:2673592X
DOI:10.3390/radiation4030018
Published in:Radiation
Language:English