title: Gastrointestinal cancer in the elderly.
abstract: Tumors in the gastrointestinal system are a significant health problem for older adults. If diagnosed at an early stage, many patients are curable. At advanced stages, however, only palliative therapy can be offered. Adjuvant therapy is beneficial only in colorectal carcinoma and a small number of highly selected patients. This article describes the treatment for these cancers as it relates to the older patient population.
authors.affiliation: Don Monti Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lichtman
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bayer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents