title: [Conceptual and ethical questions in geriatric oncology].
abstract: Geriatric oncology concentrates on the field of cancer in the expanding aging population. Therapeutic goals are based on individual risk-assessment, comorbidities, and the specific tumor-biology. Good management of older cancer patients requires a multidimensional risk profile. Shared decision-making in geriatric oncology has to recognize a sometimes impaired autonomy. Possible conflicts between beneficence and autonomy are discussed and specific problems of the elderly patients are given. Informed consent requires competence, which might be lacking to some degree. It is the task of a responsible physician to promote autonomous decision-making as far as possible.
authors.affiliation: 1. Med. Abteilung mit Onkologie, Wilhelminenspital der Stadt Wien Montlearstr. 37 1171 Wien, Austria. Johannes.Meran@netway.at
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Meran
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate