Genitourinary cancers in older adults

Area of Science:

• Urologic Oncology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Cancer Pathology

Background:

• Prostate and bladder cancers predominantly affect older adults.
• Renal cell carcinoma is a rare but highly lethal cancer.
• Current treatments for these cancers have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathology, diagnosis, and staging of prostate and bladder cancers in older adults.
• To highlight surgical and medical treatment approaches and their limitations.
• To emphasize advances in renal cell carcinoma management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on prostate, bladder, and renal cell carcinoma.
• Discussion of diagnostic and staging methodologies.
• Analysis of surgical, medical, and investigational therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

• Prostate and bladder cancers are primarily geriatric diseases with established diagnostic and treatment pathways.
• Renal cell carcinoma presents a significant mortality challenge, with advances in molecular genetics and histopathology improving classification.
• Surgical management and novel therapies are crucial for renal cell carcinoma.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the geriatric context is vital for managing prostate and bladder cancers.
• Despite challenges, advancements in understanding and treating renal cell carcinoma are ongoing.
• Integrated approaches combining diagnostics, surgery, and novel therapies are key for improving outcomes.