e21611 Background: Given the potential for older patients (pts) to experience exaggerated toxicity and symptoms, this study was performed to characterize pt reported outcomes (PROs) in older pts following definitive radiation therapy (RT) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Methods: Disease-free head and neck cancer survivors ( > 6 mos. since tx) were eligible for participation in a questionnaire-based study. Participants completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck module (MDASI-HN). Those who had been treated for OPC with definitive RT (w/ or w/o systemic therapy) and were > 65 y/o at time of RT were included. Individual and overall symptom severity and clinical variables were analyzed. Results: Of the 79 participants analyzed, 82% were male, 95% white, 41% T3/4 disease, 39% RT alone, 27% induction chemotherapy, 52% concurrent, and 18% both, and 96% IMRT. Median age at the time of RT was 71 yrs. (range: 65-85); median time from end of RT to MDASI-HN completion was 46 mos. (2/3 > 24 mos.). The top 5 MDASI-HN items rated most severe in terms of mean (±SD) ratings (0-10 scale) were dry mouth (3.48±2.95), taste (2.81±3.29), swallowing (2.59±2.96), mucus in mouth/throat (2.04±2.68), and choking (1.30±2.38) reported at moderate to severe levels (≥5) by 35, 29, 29, 18, and 13%, respectively. Thirty-nine % reported none (0) or no more than mild (1-4) symptoms across all 22 MDASI-HN symptoms items, and 38% had at least one item rated as severe (≥7). Hierarchal cluster analysis resulted in 3 patient groups: 1) ~75% with generally no to moderate symptom burden, 2) ~25% with moderate to severe ratings for a subset of classically RT-related symptoms (e.g. dry mouth, mucus, swallow, taste), and 3) only 2 pts with severe ratings of nearly all items. Subgroup comparisons will be presented. Conclusions: The overall long-term symptom burden seen in this older OPC cohort was largely favorable, yet a higher symptom group (~25%) with a distinct pattern of mostly local symptoms was identified. We have implemented the routine use of symptom assessment tools as part of OPC survivorship programs and plan to explore age-dose-modeling of symptoms identified and associated normal structures.
Functional Burden Associated with Late Lower Cranial Neuropathy in Long-Term Oropharyngeal Cancer Survivors Treated with Definitive Radiation Therapy