Patterns of Care and Treatment Outcomes in Geriatric Cervical Cancer Patients: A Survival and Toxicity Analysis

Cervical cancer incidence among geriatric patients is rising, contributing to over 40% of annual deaths. With a projected 23% increase in women over 65 years, comorbidities and frailty will influence clinical decisions. Assessing age's impact on outcomes is complex due to competing illnesses. Thus, a retrospective analysis at our institute evaluated prognosis, patient characteristics, treatments, and toxicities in geriatric cervical cancer patients.

From January 2017 to December 2019, 316 cervical cancer patients were studied, categorized into < 60 years (235 patients) and ≥ 60 years (81 patients). Clinical data were collected from electronic records, analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.

Geriatric patients had a higher prevalence of comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.002). Majority of patients in both age groups presented with locally advanced stages. The treatment approaches differed among both groups, depending upon comorbidities and tumor stage. Geriatric patients experienced a higher incidence of low-grade treatment related toxicities (p < 0.005). Despite such challenges, both the age groups demonstrated good treatment responses and favorable survival outcomes.

Both age groups tolerated treatment well with favorable outcomes, prompting a re-evaluation of geriatric screening and treatment guidelines. Extending health insurance coverage beyond age 60 in Germany, currently limited to 20–60 years, would ensure proper screening access for geriatric patients. Guidelines should help select elderly patients fit for treatment, balancing benefits and risks.