<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Cancer incidence increases with age. With an ageing population, the burden of cancer in older people is set to increase significantly in the coming decades. This is a heterogeneous group with wide variations in health and functional status separate from chronological age. Data suggest that historically this patient cohort have poorer outcomes and have been under-represented in clinical cancer trials. There is an emerging body of evidence to help guide treatment; however, ongoing research is needed to develop comprehensive evidence-based guidelines and identify treatment regimens, which are suitable for frailer patients. In this article, we review the current field of geriatric oncology. We highlight that age is not a contradiction to cancer treatment but geriatric assessment is needed to identify which treatment a patient may tolerate and benefit from.</p></abstract>

Cancer incidence increases with age. With an ageing population, the burden of cancer in older people is set to increase significantly in the coming decades. This is a heterogeneous group with wide variations in health and functional status separate from chronological age. Data suggest that historically this patient cohort have poorer outcomes and have been under-represented in clinical cancer trials. There is an emerging body of evidence to help guide treatment; however, ongoing research is needed to develop comprehensive evidence-based guidelines and identify treatment regimens, which are suitable for frailer patients. In this article, we review the current field of geriatric oncology. We highlight that age is not a contradiction to cancer treatment but geriatric assessment is needed to identify which treatment a patient may tolerate and benefit from.

Geriatric Oncology

FY2, Medicine, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK

CT1, Orthopaedics, Countess of Chester Hospital, UK

Breast Surgery, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy

Consultant Surgical Oncologist, University of Liverpool and St Helens, Teaching Hospital

Forum of Clinical Oncology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Geriatric Oncology"}

Cancer incidence increases with age. With an ageing population, the burden of cancer in older people is set to increase significantly in the coming decades....

Geriatric Oncology

Published Online: Dec 10, 2014

Page range: 8 - 11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fco-2014-0007

Keywords
Geriatric oncology, Elderly, Cancer, Frailty

© 2014 Helen Hughes et. al.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Geriatric Oncology

Published Online: Dec 10, 2014

Page range: 8 - 11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fco-2014-0007

KeywordsGeriatric oncology, Elderly, Cancer, Frailty

© 2014 Helen Hughes et. al.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Geriatric oncology, Elderly, Cancer, Frailty