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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Colorectal Cancer in Elderly Patients: From Best Supportive Care to Cure
Paolo De PaoliSergio PalmeriMassimiliano BerrettaEmanuele Lo MenzoUmberto TirelliFabrizio Di BenedettoRaffaele Di Franciasubject
Cancer Researchmedicine.medical_specialtyPediatricsColorectal cancerhealth care facilities manpower and servicesPopulationDiseaseCancer; Chemotherapy; Colorectal; Elderly; TreatmentCauses of cancerElderlyAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols80 and overmedicineHumansChemotherapyAdverse effecteducationColorectalAgedQuality of Health CareCancerAged 80 and overPharmacologyeducation.field_of_studybusiness.industryCancersocial sciencesmedicine.diseasehumanitiesAged; Aged 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Colorectal Neoplasms; Humans; Quality of Health CareTreatmentClinical trialPhysical therapyCandidacyMolecular MedicineColorectal Neoplasmsbusinessdescription
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.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-01 | Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry |