Approach to the older patient with cancer

BMC Medicine

Eduardo Bruera¹  Maxine de la Cruz¹ 

[1]Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University ofTexas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard Unit 1414, Houston,TX 77030, USA

关键词: Symptom management;    Supportive care;    Palliative care;    Geriatric patient;    Advance cancer;   

Others  :  855666
DOI  :  10.1186/1741-7015-11-218

 received in 2013-09-10, accepted in 2013-09-16,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

The incidence of cancer increases with advanced age. And as the world population ages, clinicians will be faced with a growing number of older patients with cancer. The challenge that clinicians face involves carefully choosing the type of therapeutic care plan that is most appropriate given a person’s level of physical reserve, medical comorbidities, and psychosocial resources. Inclusion of assessment tools in clinical practice such as a comprehensive geriatric assessment can assist clinicians in identifying patients who will benefit from aggressive cancer care or palliative measures. The role of palliative care, especially in the frail older patient, is critical in improving quality of life. Improvement in best care practices in older patients with cancer requires their inclusion in clinical trials.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 de la Cruz and Bruera; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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