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Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
Published on: May 22, 2026
Supportive care in elderly cancer patients
1Senior Adult Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA. Lodovico.balducci@moffitt.org
Current Opinion in Oncology
|May 5, 2009
Summary
Older adults can safely receive chemotherapy for cancer. Treatment success depends on assessing physiological age and providing tailored support, not just chronological age.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Oncology
- Cancer Treatment in Elderly
Background:
- Cancer is increasingly diagnosed in older adults globally.
- The elderly population is expanding worldwide.
- Understanding supportive needs in this demographic is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the supportive needs of elderly cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic treatment.
- To address the growing challenge of cancer in aging populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) to determine physiological age.
- Adjusting chemotherapy dosages based on age-related pharmacokinetic changes.
- Implementing supportive care, including hematopoietic growth factors, to manage toxicity.
Main Results:
- Chemotherapy can be as effective in older adults as in younger patients when based on physiological age.
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment is key for individuals aged 70 and above.
- Pharmacokinetic adjustments and supportive measures mitigate common toxicities like myelotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Chronological age alone is not a barrier to antineoplastic chemotherapy.
- Treatment decisions must be individualized based on physiological age.
- Adequate supportive care is essential for successful chemotherapy in older cancer patients.
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