Effect of age on response to palliative radiotherapy and quality of life in patients with painful bone metastases

Abstract Background Multimorbidity and declining performance in elderly cancer patients may result in less treatment benefit. We investigated whether age is a predictor for pain response and quality of life (QoL) after radiotherapy in patients with painful bone metastases. Methods The database of the Dutch Bone Metastasis Study was used (1996–1999). 1157 patients, irradiated for painful bone metastases, rated their pain, QoL-domains and overall health at baseline and during follow-up. Response was calculated taking into account changes in pain score and medication. Patients were grouped into three age cohorts: A: n =520), B: 65–74 ( n =410) and C: ⩾75years ( n =227). Results No significant difference existed in pain response between cohorts: 78% in cohort A, 74% in B and 67% in C. When assessing baseline QoL, a significant difference in activity level was noticed, with more impairment in elderly compared to younger patients (C versus B ( p =0.01), C versus A ( p Conclusion The majority of elderly patients with painful bone metastases responded to radiotherapy and showed comparable overall QoL compared to their younger counterparts. Age is not a predictor for pain response or QoL.