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Adjuvant therapy for colon cancer in the elderly: treat or don’t treat?
North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center at Suffolk, Commack, NY
The changing demographics of the population have emphasized the importance of the care of older cancer patients. Many recent advances have also occurred in the treatment of colon cancer, particularly in the role of adjuvant therapy. These changes have included the addition of new drugs and schedules and the increasing recognition that older patients benefit from adjuvant therapy. In facing a decision regarding which particular regimen to use in the older patient, clinicians must take into account individual patient needs, comorbidities, cognitive function, and social supports. This article will review the adjuvant regimens and how they can be applied to the treatment of older patients.
| Commun Oncol 2005;2:331–336 | full text |  124 kb |