Einfluss des Alters auf die Therapieentscheidung bei Gynäko-onkologischen Patienten

This thesis is a retrospective, a statistical work, conducted at the university hospital Marburg (Universitätsklinikum Marburg) at the department of gynaecology and oncology. The target of this research is to analyse whether the age of female patients suffering a gynaecological malignant tumour is determining the decision for a therapy according to the guideline. This research is based on the analysis of 259 medical records. The medical records are gathered during September 2003 until June 2007. All patients have been in treatment for a gynaecological malignant tumour at the university hospital Marburg. Out of the 259 patients 124 suffered an endometrial carcinoma, 63 a cervical carcinoma, 37 vulvar cancer and 35 ovarian cancer. The research recorded staging, therapy and comorbidity. Documentation and evaluation are based on SPSS 15.0 for Windows – a statistics programme – and Excel. As subject of the research two hypotheses where stated: Hypothesis 1: With increasing age comorbidity (secondary diagnosis) rises and general condition worsens. Hypothesis 2: Patients were not treated according to the guideline because of their age. The analysis verified hypothesis 1. With increasing age the amount of secondary diagnosis increases and general condition worsens. Hypothesis 2 can be verified only partially. Age does influence the therapy decision to a certain degree but is not the sole reason for a therapy not in compliance with the guideline. Particularly the side effects of aging (comorbidity and a decreasing general condition) are additionally influencing the decision regarding therapy. Altogether 32 patients (12.4%) have not been treated according to the guideline. The average age was 69.7 years.