Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the major causes of cancer mortality in the elderly population (median age at diagnosis of 71 years) in Western Countries. Moreover patients with metastatic disease are often elderly with significant co- morbidities. Unfortunately, elderly patients are often untreated and under-represented in clinical trials, even if most clinical trials that have included this setting of population have shown similar survival rates and toxicities to younger patients.
Age itself should not be considered for candidacy to chemotherapy but it should be taken in consideration the great heterogeneity of co-morbidities present in the elderly population. Therefore, the best treatment strategy for elderly colorectal cancer patients has not yet been defined. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment is recommended to evaluate the best strategy treatment and to reduce the adverse events. In fact, while fit elderly patients could receive the same therapeutic treatment as the younger counterpart, a palliative approach should be taken in consideration for frail elderly patients and for those with a short life expectancy.
Keywords: Elderly, colorectal, cancer, chemotherapy, treatment.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Colorectal Cancer in Elderly Patients: From Best Supportive Care to Cure
Volume: 13 Issue: 9
Author(s): Massimiliano Berretta, Fabrizio Di Benedetto, Raffaele Di Francia, Emanuele Lo Menzo, Sergio Palmeri, Umberto Tirelli and Paolo De Paoli
Affiliation:
Keywords: Elderly, colorectal, cancer, chemotherapy, treatment.
Abstract: Colorectal cancer is one of the major causes of cancer mortality in the elderly population (median age at diagnosis of 71 years) in Western Countries. Moreover patients with metastatic disease are often elderly with significant co- morbidities. Unfortunately, elderly patients are often untreated and under-represented in clinical trials, even if most clinical trials that have included this setting of population have shown similar survival rates and toxicities to younger patients.
Age itself should not be considered for candidacy to chemotherapy but it should be taken in consideration the great heterogeneity of co-morbidities present in the elderly population. Therefore, the best treatment strategy for elderly colorectal cancer patients has not yet been defined. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment is recommended to evaluate the best strategy treatment and to reduce the adverse events. In fact, while fit elderly patients could receive the same therapeutic treatment as the younger counterpart, a palliative approach should be taken in consideration for frail elderly patients and for those with a short life expectancy.
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Cite this article as:
Berretta Massimiliano, Benedetto Di Fabrizio, Francia Di Raffaele, Menzo Lo Emanuele, Palmeri Sergio, Tirelli Umberto and Paoli De Paolo, Colorectal Cancer in Elderly Patients: From Best Supportive Care to Cure, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113136660350
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113136660350 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
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