Genitourinary cancer in the elderly

Genitourinary malignancy comprises nearly half of the cancers diagnosed in men, and the incidence of this group of cancers increases with age. The key to successful management is to define appropriate goals (cure v palliation) based on the natural history and extent of disease, physiology and life expectancy of the patients, and cost-benefit ratio of treatment options. Of particular importance, the chance for cure should not be sacrificed because of age-based considerations in early-stage cancers of the prostate or kidney nor in the early stage of locally advanced urothelial malignancy.