[Geriatric oncology: epidemiological evidence].
In Europe, 60% of all cancers and 75% of all deaths from cancer occur in patients older than 65 years. The incidence of many cancers (prostate, colorectal, and hematological) either increases with age or remains high (breast and lungs). The two principal characteristics of cancer in the elderly are late diagnosis and comorbidity that requires specific geriatric assessment and cooperation between the oncologist and the geriatrician. Academic and pharmaceutical industry research must focus on the specificities of cancers in the elderly and of response to treatment according to functional abilities and comorbidity. Equal access to high quality medical care and procedures must be ensured, regardless of age; this is not currently the case everywhere.
Piette
François
F
Service de médecine interne, Hôpital Charles Foix, Université et Faculté de médecine Pierre et Marie Curie, F-94200 Ivry-sur-Seine, France. francois.piette@cfx.aphp.fr
Spano
Jean-Philippe
JP
Chaibi
Pascal
P
Legendre
Cécile
C
Toan
Shuy-Vang
SV
Chebib
Amale
A
Jasmin
Claude
C
Khayat
David
D
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D004345:Drug Industry; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012106:Research; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013038:Specialization