title: [Chances and limitations of chemotherapy in elderly patients].
abstract: The chronological age of a patient should not be a barrier to apply chemotherapy. Elderly patients can benefit from chemotherapy. Chronological age should not be a reason for diagnostic or therapeutic nihilism, as the age of a patient poorly characterizes their health situation. Data with high level of evidence on treatment of elderly patients with cancer are limited. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) describes the individual deficits and resources of a patient much better. Limitations in CGA are risk factors for increased toxicity and decreased treatment benefit. The currently available data demonstrate under- and over-treatment in elderly patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Abteilung Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Deutschland. Ulrich.wedding@med.uni-jena.de
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wedding
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents