The Covid-19 pandemic has led to modifications in the treatment for older patients with head and neck cancer, say doctors. A study published in a medical journal states  that surgery should be reconsidered for older patients as it may result in higher risk of exposure to Covid-19 and that the treatment needs to be individualised.

The study was published in the International Society of Geriatric Oncology. “The number of cancer patients aged 65 years and older will increase in the next several decades. Head and neck cancer in older patients is a major health burden,” said Dr Mukul Roy, author and consultant, radiation oncology at Jaslok Hospital. She said while this cancer is treated by combined modalities including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, there is a need to rationalise treatment in this age group because of high treatment-related morbidity.