Mouth cancer / chemotherapy at 80 ? is it safe to have chemotherapy at that age?

Go to Hollings: They have an excellent h&n team that will explain benefit of surgery, chemotherapy and xrt...All 80 year olds are not the same, and there are biotherapy (cetuximab) that may be useful, but also a tad less effective. I would trust the cancer center in your city.

Yes: But is the morbidity worth the treatment. The treatment might cause vomiting, heart problems, hair loss etc. You need to discuss the benefits versus the risks with the oncologist. And a team of social workers and nurses and the pathologist. At most cancer centers you can arrange such a meeting. And you can also find our if hospice is a better alternative for you.

Yes, if: Yes, if the patient is otherwise healthy. Make sure you are managed by experts in head and neck cancer treatment.