[Therapy of elderly patients with leukemias and malignant lymphomas]

Incidence of most malignant lymphomas and leukaemias is increasing with advanced age. 5-year-survival-rates are worse in elderly patients. Therapeutic decisions have to consider possible changes in the biology of the disease together with the age dependent increase in the prevalence of comorbid conditions and the limitations of functional status. Dose intensive chemotherapy protocols, as they are necessary for therapy of acute leukaemias and aggressive malignant lymphomas, are associated with an increased rate of therapy related morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. Supportive care is an essential part of the therapy. Treatment strategies for elderly patients are reviewed within this article.