From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geriatric oncology is the branch of medicine that studies benign and malignant tumors in elderly.

Origin

While anyone can develop cancer, the risk of getting the disease increases with age. Certain cancers, in particular, are linked to aging, such as breast, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, lung, bladder and stomach cancers.

For many reasons, older adults (generally age 70 and higher) with cancer have different needs than younger adults with the disease. Treatment for older adults needs to consider many issues. For example, older adults:^{[1] [2]}

• May be less able to tolerate certain cancer treatments.
• Have a decreased reserve (the capacity to respond to disease and treatment).
• May have other medical problems in addition to cancer.
• May have functional problems, such as the ability to do basic activities (dressing, bathing, eating) or more advanced activities (such as using transportation, going shopping or handling finances).
• May not always have access to transportation, social support or financial resources.

Cancer and other tumors are common among elderly. Elderly have many peculiarities as regard dosing, complications and tolerance of treatment options of cancer. Clinical trials that guidelines for treatment of cancer were based on were mainly applied for young age and rarely in elders, so a lot of research in this area is needed.

Just as a child would see a pediatrician for medical care, an older patient should go to a geriatrician. And an older patient with cancer will benefit from the combined expertise of the Geriatric Oncology Program’s physician experts. Older patients have unique needs because of their often complex medical histories, numerous drugs they are taking, their social situations, possible problems with cognitive dysfunction related to age, and general diminution of organ function that occurs naturally in the older population. An expert in geriatrics, working in conjunction with a medical oncologist sensitive to these problems, can decide on the appropriate treatment for any elderly cancer patient.^[3]

One of a handful of people around the world who created the field of geriatric oncology during the 1980's was Lodovico Balducci. He was co-editor of the first major medial textbook on the subject, Geriatric Oncology, published in 1982, and has been honored with the B.J. Kennedy Award for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. ^[4]

Training & education programs

These Programs aims at providing optimal cancer care for senior adults aged 70 and older, and helps patients overcome the special challenges this population faces in battling the disease.^[3] Separate fellowships for training in geriatric oncology subspeciality is now established.^[5] Books and curriculum are available for training.^[6]

All new patients meet with a medical oncologist, a geriatrician, a psychosocial professional, and a nutritionist, all of whom work together to provide a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s fitness to withstand the therapy necessary to treat his or her cancer. Patients spend approximately three hours with the Geriatric Oncology Program team. Following the initial assessment, the team meets to evaluate the patient’s fitness for therapy. The team’s decisions and recommendations are then presented to the patient and his or her family as well as to the patient’s primary physician when appropriate. After these discussions, treatment for the patient’s cancer is initiated.^[7]

Organisation & societies

Geriatric Oncology Consortium is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the age based disparities in research, education and treatment in the older adult cancer population. It is leader in developing and conducting research in older adults and providing older adult cancer education to medical professionals, patients, caregivers and the general public.^[8]

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has started a geriatric oncology subspeciality. A webpage didicated to article and resources about geriatric oncology is available.^[9]

World oncology network has established a directory for geriatric oncology to promote this subspeciality.^[10]

International Society of Geriatric Oncology purpose is to advance the art, science and practice of oncology in elderly patients and disseminate knowledge in order to maintain a high common standard of healthcare in elderly cancer patients. The special aims of the Association are to improve research in the field of geriatric oncology. promote education in geriatric oncology, in order to ensure a high standard of qualification for health professionals, maintain liaison with other medical and health professionals associations, cancer leagues, universities and, where appropriate, the pharmaceutical industry.^[11]

References

See also

• International Society of Geriatric Oncology
• Geriatric Oncology Consortium
• Geriatric oncology at American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Management of Cancer in the Elderly
• Hackensack University Medical Center Geriatric Oncology Division
• Cleveland Clinic,Geriatric oncology clinic
• Boston medical center Fellowship in Geriatric Oncology.
• World oncology network, Geriatric oncology
• AACR Task Force on Aging and Cancer
• Seniors With Cancer Support Blog

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