Is Effective and Safe a Radiochemotherapy Approach in Elderly Cancer Patients? A Review

Title:Is Effective and Safe a Radiochemotherapy Approach in Elderly Cancer Patients? A Review

Volume: 13 Issue: 9

Author(s): Francesco Fiorica, Antonio Zanghì, Giuliana Pascale, Otilia Nuta, Lino Del Pup, Antonio Stefanelli and Francesco Cartei

Affiliation:

Keywords: Radiochemotherapy, elderly patients, geriatric oncology, clinical trials.

Abstract: Although more than 60% of all cancer patients in Europe and the USA are older than 65 years at the time of diagnosis, elderly patients are generally under-represented in clinical trials. A general consensus on how to treat elderly patients is still far from being achieved.

In this review, we address some of the issues and challenges surrounding the treatment of older cancer patients and radiochemotherapy. We discuss the existing evidence related to radiochemotherapy in the elderly, focusing primarily on the malignancies most commonly seen in older patients and making general treatment recommendations where applicable.

Cite this article as:

Fiorica Francesco, Zanghì Antonio, Pascale Giuliana, Nuta Otilia, Pup Del Lino, Stefanelli Antonio and Cartei Francesco, Is Effective and Safe a Radiochemotherapy Approach in Elderly Cancer Patients? A Review, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113136660354