Safety and Efficacy of Radioembolization in Elderly (≥ 70 Years) and Younger Patients With Unresectable Liver-Dominant Colorectal Cancer

Abstract Background The effects of advancing age on clinical outcomes after radioembolization (RE) in patients with unresectable liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are largely unknown. Patients and Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of 160 elderly (≥ 70 years) and 446 younger ( 90 Y) resin microspheres ( 90 Y radioembolization [ 90 Y-RE]) between July 2002 and December 2011. A further analysis was conducted in 98 very elderly patients (≥ 75 years). Statistical analyses of safety, tolerability, and overall survival were conducted. Results Mean ages (± standard deviation) in the younger ( P  = .335). There were no differences between cohorts for any grade adverse events ( P  = .433) or grade 3+ events ( P  = .482). Analysis of patients ≥ 75 years and  P  = .987) and grade 3+ events ( P  = .398) or any adverse event ( P  = .158) within 90 days of RE. Conclusion For patients with unresectable liver-dominant mCRC who meet eligibility criteria for RE, 90 Y-RE microspheres appear to be effective and well-tolerated, regardless of age. Criteria for selecting patients for RE should not include age for exclusion from this potentially beneficial intervention.