Outcomes following potentially curative therapies for older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Older age represents a major risk factor for developing colorectal cancer and the disease disproportionately affects patients older than 60 years of age. However, knowledge regarding the optimal management of older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains limited. The challenge of treating older patients arises in tailoring treatments to a heterogeneous cohort whilst adjusting for individuals with a wide variation of physiological reserve, a reduced tolerance to treatment side-effects and morbidity, and often different priorities as compared with younger patients. Data from the published literature supports the premise that older age alone is not an acceptable determinant of treatment options. In particular, patients aged 65-70 years with mCRC ought to be considered similarly to younger patients and patients aged 70-74 also stand to benefit from both hepatic resection and systemic therapy notwithstanding the higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Patients aged 75-79, and with sufficient physiological reserve ought to be considered for curative treatment options which are proportional to the extent of metastatic disease. Meanwhile, in patients aged ≥80 years, life-extending or life-enhancing benefit ought to be demonstrable prior to embarking upon major surgery as a curative treatment option. Older patients who meet the physiological eligibility criteria to enter clinical trials of systemic chemotherapy appear to gain similar benefit as younger patients and should not be excluded on the basis of age alone. Clinical trials that are specifically designed for older patients are feasible and could yield valuable information to guide clinical practice.