[Special considerations in chemo- and radiotherapy and supportive care of elderly patients with cancer].
Differences in tumorbiology and age-associated changes, such as an impaired functional status and the presence of comorbidities, can result in treatment decisions differing from established standards, as standard treatments have often been established through clinical trials mainly including younger patients. Neither therapeutic nihilism due to advanced age nor treatment according to established standards at all costs is the optimal treatment for elderly patients. This article summarizes recently published data regarding the treatment of elderly patients according to main tumor types.
Wedding
Ulrich
U
Abteilung Palliativmedizin, Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Deutschland. ulrich.wedding@med.uni-jena.de
Wendt
Thomas G
TG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005858:Germany; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000639:trends*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*