Effect of Age on Treatment Outcomes

[janebob99]

Here is a recent study that shows having an older age (ranging from 65-75) results in a more favorable outcome when doing radiation treatment (i.e., older is better). The opposite is true for radical prostatectomy (RP) treatment. Namely, the older you are, the worse the outcome is after RP.

redjournal.org/article/S036...

[Tall_Allen]

One has to be really careful in interpreting this because RP and RT were given in separate trials. In general, those getting RT are about 10 years older than those getting RP because it is well-known that the risks of RP go up with age. The ProtecT trial proved that cancer outcomes were no different when favorable risk patients were randomized to RT or RP.

[janebob99 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks, Allen. I'll have to read up on the ProtecT trial. But, this study showed that that older men in the age group of 65-75 did better than younger men when treated with Radiation Therapy. They didn't explain why, though.

[Tall_Allen in reply to janebob99]

Probably selection bias. Sadly, younger men are steered to RP, so those who are younger and got RT may have been sicker.

[janebob99 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Good point !

[tsim]

All surgeries do.

[janebob99 in reply to tsim]

I don't understand. All surgeries do what?

[tsim in reply to janebob99]

Have a higher risk for complications and effects as you age

[janebob99 in reply to tsim]

Ahh...that makes sense. Thanks!