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Managing older patients with cancer
Lauren Robinson1, Neena A Xavier
1At the time this article was written, Lauren Robinson was a student and Neena A. Xavier was an assistant professor in the PA program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ms. Xavier is now an assistant professor in the PA program at Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Summary
Older adults with cancer should be assessed for fitness, not just chronological age, to ensure appropriate treatment. Evaluating functional age helps determine tolerance and maintain quality of life during cancer care.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Oncology
- Cancer Treatment in Older Adults
Background:
- The population of adults over 70 years is increasing.
- Older adults face higher risks of surgical complications and chemotherapy toxicity.
- Age alone is not a sufficient criterion for excluding older patients from cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To guide clinicians in caring for older patients with cancer.
- To emphasize the importance of fitness assessment over chronological age.
- To develop treatment plans that preserve quality of life for elderly cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of considerations for treating older cancer patients.
- Focus on functional age assessment for treatment tolerance.
- Discussion of strategies to balance treatment efficacy and quality of life.
Main Results:
- Chronological age is an inadequate measure for cancer treatment decisions in older adults.
- Functional assessment (fitness) provides a better predictor of treatment tolerance.
- Individualized treatment planning is crucial for this demographic.
Conclusions:
- Older adults with cancer should not be denied treatment based solely on age.
- Assessing functional age is essential for optimizing cancer care in the elderly.
- Effective treatment plans must prioritize both oncologic outcomes and patient quality of life.
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