title: Treating older adults with cancer: geriatric perspectives.
abstract: The proportion of older adults (age 65 and older) in oncology practices continues to increase. Older adults present with unique issues that complicate management decisions and evidence from randomized clinical trials to inform management of these patients is lacking. Despite this, principles of geriatric medicine need to be incorporated into oncology practice to provide optimal individualized care to patients. There is increasing evidence from observational studies that geriatric assessment (GA) strategies can be applied in oncology, can help predict treatment outcomes, and can inform supportive care management for older adults. In this review, we discuss the principles of GA and their use in older adults with cancer. In addition, considerations on when to refer to a geriatrician and issues related to management of vulnerable older adults will be addressed.
authors.affiliation: From the Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC; Division of Geriatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA.
authors.forename: Heidi D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Klepin
authors.affiliation: From the Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC; Division of Geriatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodin
authors.affiliation: From the Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC; Division of Geriatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA.
authors.forename: Arti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hurria
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003657:Decision Making; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008603:Mental Health; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents