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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
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Geriatric evaluation of oncological elderly patients
Michele Malaguarnera1, Paola Mariangela Frazzetto, Ozyalcn Erdogan
1Research Center "The Great Senescence", University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy. paofrazzetto82@hotmail.it.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|October 10, 2013
Summary
Cancer management in older adults is complex due to age-related declines and comorbidities. A comprehensive geriatric assessment is crucial for predicting treatment tolerance and life expectancy in elderly cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer prevalence significantly increases with age, posing management challenges.
- Aging is associated with reduced stress tolerance, organ function decline, and increased comorbidities.
- Elderly patients exhibit altered pharmacokinetics, increasing risks of adverse drug events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of multidimensional assessment for elderly cancer patients.
- To emphasize the need for predictive risk models to estimate life expectancy and treatment tolerance.
- To underscore the role of geriatric assessment in differentiating cancer-specific issues from geriatric syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Review of age-related physiological changes impacting cancer therapy.
- Discussion of pharmacokinetic alterations in the elderly.
- Emphasis on the utility of geriatric assessment in oncology.
Main Results:
- Age-related changes increase susceptibility to myelosuppression, mucositis, cardiotoxicity, and neurotoxicity.
- Chemotherapy options are limited for patients over 75 years.
- Geriatric assessment aids in distinguishing cancer from geriatric syndromes and has prognostic value.
Conclusions:
- Multidimensional geriatric assessment is vital for optimizing cancer care in older adults.
- Predictive models are essential for personalized treatment strategies and prognosis.
- Geriatric assessment improves the distinction between cancer and age-related conditions, enhancing patient outcomes.
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