Abstract
Cancer is primarily a disease of older adults. Decision making about care for older adults is challenging. There is heterogeneity in the health status of older patients with cancer, including differences in comorbidities, cognitive status, physical performance, nutrition, functional abilities, and social circumstances, each of which can significantly impact cancer treatment decisions and outcomes. It is therefore important to characterize the health of older patients with multimorbidity and cancer using a multidimensional and validated geriatric assessment. This requires a systematic approach to decision making and management of older cancer patients. This chapter outlines such an approach and presents a framework to guide cancer management decisions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Geriatrics for Specialists |
Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
Pages | 317-324 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783319318318 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783319318295 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2016 |
Keywords
- Cancer
- Geriatric assessment
- Geriatric oncology
- Multimorbidity
- Older adults
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Nursing(all)