Cancer in Older Adults

William H. Ward, Efrat Dotan, Joshua E. Meyer, Nestor F. Esnaola

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The management of cancer, often considered a disease of the elderly, is becoming an increasingly common challenge for surgeons and oncologists caring for older adults. As the geriatric population has grown, so too have opinions and standards as to what constitutes an appropriate treatment approach in the elderly cancer patient. Not surprisingly, oncology treatment regimens in elderly populations have become increasingly individualized. When applying these tailored treatment paradigms to elderly cancer patients, a crucial consideration is whether the benefits of a proposed cancer treatment outweigh their perceived risks within the context of patients’ residual life expectancy. In some circumstances, optimal implementation of these tailored approaches may require deviation from treatments that would otherwise constitute standard of care in younger patients of similar cancer and stage. As such, a strong working knowledge of the nuances involved in the preoperative assessment of the elderly cancer patient, as well as alternative treatment strategies, is crucial for surgeons caring for these patients to ensure optimal perioperative and postoperative decision-making, care, and outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPrinciples and Practice of Geriatric Surgery
Subtitle of host publicationThird Edition: With 261 Figures and 155 Tables
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages189-209
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)9783319477718
ISBN (Print)9783319477701
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Chemotherapy
  • Comprehensive geriatric assessment
  • Decision-making capacity
  • Elderly
  • Goals of care
  • Life expectancy
  • Radiation
  • Surgery

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