Treatment of the elderly patient with mantle cell lymphoma

Abstract

Treatment options for mantle cell lymphomas have expanded considerably over recent years, offering hematologists solutions for older patients with an appropriate risk-to-benefit ratio. Indeed, unfit older patients are exposed to a higher risk of toxicity with a standard treatment. Although new treatments have generally good safety profiles, they may lead to unexpected consequences in unfit older patients. Involving geriatricians and a comprehensive geriatric assessment in patient care could help hematologists address these vulnerabilities. The geriatric evaluation process is time-consuming but can be simplified, and its potential to help hematologists foresee unexpected consequences of treatment has now been demonstrated.