Management of castrate-resistant prostate cancer in older men

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men with the highest incidence in older men. Older men are more likely to present with metastatic disease compared with younger patients and eventually all will develop castrate resistant disease. In recent years, a number of new treatment options have demonstrated survival benefits for metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer. However, the lack of randomized trials directly comparing the different available options results in some uncertainty on how best to choose and sequence therapy. In this paper, we outline the therapeutic options available to men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, including cytotoxic therapy, hormonal agents and bone-directed therapy. We focus particularly on the evidence for specific treatment options and the challenges faced in choosing the appropriate therapy for the older patient.