Vol 8, No 2 (2012)
Review paper
Published online: 2012-06-27
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Treatment of colorectal cancer in elderly patients

Krzysztof Krzemieniecki
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2012;8(2):60-64.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a good example of the age-related disease. The unconditional adherence to quality of the surgery procedures is required among patients above 60 year old, otherwise the risk of premature death is increased. The laparoscopic procedure maybe offered to elderly patients, especially those with high risk of postoperative complications. Surgery is not advised to the individuals in their eighties presenting metastatic colorectal cancer unless there is a high risk  of bowel occlusion in the nearest future. No more than 40% of colorectal patients receive recommended adjuvant treatment when they are older than 75 years and possible poor performance status or co morbidities in some patients are not enough to explain these data. Continuous increase in the administration of capecitabine and oxaliplatin is observed in treatment of elderly. The molecular targeted therapies maybe considered  in older population with metastatic colorectal cancer as long as careful and cautious patients’ selection is assured.  According to some clinical data the observed overtreatment in terminally ill patients is very alarming.

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