Development and validation of a novel prognostic score for elderly head-and-neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemoradiation

Highlights: • The survival score stratifies elderly HNSCC patients in 3 prognostic groups. • The score is based on performance status, comorbidity burden and baseline CRP level. • The score for elderly HNSCC patients having radiotherapy was externally validated. • The developed nomogram predicts 2- and 4-year overall survival of this cohort. To establish a clinically feasible prognostic score and nomogram based on easily accessible clinical data that will aid decision-making in elderly head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy.