Abstract
As the median age of the global population rises, the incidence of cancer is also
set to increase, leading to a growing elderly population with cancer. Despite this
trend, older patients have traditionally been under-represented in the majority of
oncology trials. This is largely due to their heterogeneous nature and extended medical
histories that have the potential to hinder treatment. Indeed, it is widely recommended
that patients' suitability for a given treatment should not be based on age alone,
but rather by an assessment of physiological age on an individual basis. As evidence
grows that existing therapies, such as chemotherapy, can be suitable for older patients,
the management of these patients has become of increasing importance to oncologists.
In particular, the management of haematological toxicities and their effects may be
key to achieving optimal clinical outcomes among patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Using two of the most common haematological toxicities, anaemia and neutropenia, as
examples, we explore current therapies for elderly patients with cancer, and discuss
the future management of this growing patient population.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 18, 2012
Accepted:
April 12,
2012
Received in revised form:
March 13,
2012
Received:
November 17,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc.
