Abstrakt
Aging of the population and increasing cancer incidence in the higher age categories becomes a challenge in oncology in developed countries. Older patiens are in general undertreated in comparison with treatment standards.
The elderly population is heterogenous in terms of functional status, physical and psychical impairment, comorbidities, physical reserve, socioeconomic conditions and geriatric symptoms. Treatment guidelines for elderly population are missing as a result of underrepresentation of older patiens in clinical trials.
The geriatric assessments could be a useful tool for medical decision making and for development of complex treatment plan. Clinical studies concentrated on senior cancer patients are urgently needed.