open access
Radiotherapy in the elderly patients
open access
Abstract
Increasing age is directly associated with the increasing rates of cancer. The over-65-year-old group will account for 70% of people with newly diagnosed cancer. The selection of treatment options should be based on the prolongation of life expectancy and overall increase in the quality of life. There is a limited number of radiation oncology clinical trials designed strictly for the elderly patients. Prospective clinical trials for the elderly are critical to develop relevant data that oncologists would apply in their everyday practice. Older patients have variable health status, thus it is crucial to integrate geriatric evaluation into oncology decision-making process. A comprehensive geriatric assessment is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary diagnostic process designed to improve the effectiveness and tolerance of the treatment in the elderly.
Abstract
Increasing age is directly associated with the increasing rates of cancer. The over-65-year-old group will account for 70% of people with newly diagnosed cancer. The selection of treatment options should be based on the prolongation of life expectancy and overall increase in the quality of life. There is a limited number of radiation oncology clinical trials designed strictly for the elderly patients. Prospective clinical trials for the elderly are critical to develop relevant data that oncologists would apply in their everyday practice. Older patients have variable health status, thus it is crucial to integrate geriatric evaluation into oncology decision-making process. A comprehensive geriatric assessment is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary diagnostic process designed to improve the effectiveness and tolerance of the treatment in the elderly.
Title
Radiotherapy in the elderly patients
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Invited editorial
Pages
266-270
Published online
2015-09-11
Page views
809
Article views/downloads
2756
DOI
10.5603/NJO.2015.0055
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2015;65(4):266-270.
Authors
Justyna Danielska
Justyna Chałubińska-Fendler
Jacek Fijuth