Each year more than a third of new cancer cases in developed countries are in people aged 75 and over, the highest rates being in the 85 to 89 age group. In addition, more than half of all cancer deaths are in people aged 75 and over. Although cancer is an aging disease, older people are underrepresented in clinical trials that are necessary to set new standards for older patient care. This is particularly remarkable for those with functional and cognitive frailty, as well as comorbid conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. As a result, studies on the benefits or risks of many treatment strategies for these older patients are lacking. The use of biomarkers and comprehensive geriatric assessment is essential to elucidate risks for morbidity, loss of quality of life, functional decline, and mortality. Hence, a more focused approach is necessary for the clinical management of older patients with cancer.
The aim of this Research Topic is to address the current level of scientific knowledge on the clinical management of older patients with cancer, the value of geriatric screening and assessment, novel diagnostic and pharmacological therapeutic approaches, and the clinical challenges in choosing oncologic and non-oncologic interventions for these patients.
Researchers are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, case reports, perspectives, short communications as well as theoretical papers, opinions, and methods relevant to this article collection that will cover topics such as (but not limited to):
- epidemiology of geriatric cancers and comorbid conditions
- new strategies and novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of geriatric tumors
- novel oncologic treatment strategies for older patients with cancer
- implementation of geriatric screening and assessment in oncologic decision-making for older patients with cancer
- implementation of non-oncologic interventions for older patients with cancer
- psycho-social aspects in older adults regarding their beliefs and attitudes toward cancer
Each year more than a third of new cancer cases in developed countries are in people aged 75 and over, the highest rates being in the 85 to 89 age group. In addition, more than half of all cancer deaths are in people aged 75 and over. Although cancer is an aging disease, older people are underrepresented in clinical trials that are necessary to set new standards for older patient care. This is particularly remarkable for those with functional and cognitive frailty, as well as comorbid conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. As a result, studies on the benefits or risks of many treatment strategies for these older patients are lacking. The use of biomarkers and comprehensive geriatric assessment is essential to elucidate risks for morbidity, loss of quality of life, functional decline, and mortality. Hence, a more focused approach is necessary for the clinical management of older patients with cancer.
The aim of this Research Topic is to address the current level of scientific knowledge on the clinical management of older patients with cancer, the value of geriatric screening and assessment, novel diagnostic and pharmacological therapeutic approaches, and the clinical challenges in choosing oncologic and non-oncologic interventions for these patients.
Researchers are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, case reports, perspectives, short communications as well as theoretical papers, opinions, and methods relevant to this article collection that will cover topics such as (but not limited to):
- epidemiology of geriatric cancers and comorbid conditions
- new strategies and novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of geriatric tumors
- novel oncologic treatment strategies for older patients with cancer
- implementation of geriatric screening and assessment in oncologic decision-making for older patients with cancer
- implementation of non-oncologic interventions for older patients with cancer
- psycho-social aspects in older adults regarding their beliefs and attitudes toward cancer