Chemotherapy in the elderly.
Much of the increase in cancer incidence is explained by the increasing number of elderly in the population. Even at a relatively advanced age, many have a life expectancy in the range of, or longer than, the expected 5- or 10-year survival of the malignant disease diagnosed. There are some specific problems related to treatment with chemotherapy in this age group. There is a decline in organ function, especially renal and cardiac, as well as other limitations in relation to vision, hearing and mobility. This means that we have to adopt a different attitude both to indications for chemotherapy and to what agents to use. Social and socioeconomic factors also have to be taken into consideration.
Wilking
N
N
Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. nwi@rah.ks.se
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents