Patterns of radiation treatment of elderly patients with prostate cancer

Background. The patterns of radiation care of elderly patients with prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy have not been described. As our population ages and screening increases the number of patients diagnosed, this becomes an important issue. Methods. The U.S. national surveys in prostate cancer conducted by the Patterns of Care Study in radiation oncology and the prostate cancer database from the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia, PA) have been used to compare processes and outcomes of conventional radiation treatment with conformal three-dimensional (3D) radiation treatment in elderly patients (older than or equal to 70 years) compared with younger patients