Dual Malignancies in Geriatric Cancer Patients: A Radiation Oncologist’s Perspective of Clinical Care

Abstract

Background: Data pertaining to dual malignancies in the geriatric population are not only sparse but also heterogeneous. The present study evaluated the pattern of care for geriatric dual malignancy patients at a tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from all dual malignancy patients of and above the age of 65 years registered in the radiation oncology department of a single tertiary care center. Results: 456 geriatric cancer patients were registered between January 2019 and July 2021,out of which 48 patients had dual malignancy (10.5%). The distribution of index malignancy was six (12.5%) patients each of carcinoma oropharynx and prostate. Thirty-two (66.7%) patients developed metachronous malignancies. The mean difference in the development of the second malignancy was 3.4 years. Eleven (22.9%) patients developed carcinoma lung as a second malignancy. The primary treatment received by 38 (79.2%) patients was radical. Conclusion: Geriatric patients with synchronous malignancies pose a therapeutic challenge and the decision is achieved by a multidisciplinary approach.

Keywords

• dual malignancies
• geriatric oncology
• geriatrics
• metachronous
• synchronous