[Radiation therapy in elderly patients]

Cancer Radiother. 2009 Oct;13(6-7):609-14. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2009.06.009. Epub 2009 Sep 2.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Cancer is a disease that predominantly occurs in older patients who represent a quarter of the population in western countries. Numerous types of cancer are observed in elderly people. Radiotherapy is one of the most powerful treatment against cancer. Most of published studies have demonstrated feasibility of radiotherapy in curative or palliative intent whatever cancer types are considered. Complete geriatric assessment and a multidisciplinary approach are the key points. The purpose of this review is to highlight sights of radiation oncology specifically related to aging. Particular emphasis is placed on logistic and technical aspects of radiation, as dose, irradiated volume and fractionation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Comorbidity / trends
  • Developed Countries / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Neoplasms / surgery
  • Radiotherapy / methods*
  • Radiotherapy / standards
  • Radiotherapy Dosage / standards
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • Uterine Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / radiotherapy