Decision making and safety issues in older cancer patients

Abstract

More older people will present with cancer and require either curative or palliative treatment in the future. A major fact that influences all treatment is the decision making that occurs prior to treatment and safety considerations that need to be highlighted. As more older individuals with cognitive impairment, multicomorbidity, and polypharmacy are treated, a balance between improved morbidity and mortality must be made against safety issues particularly when addressing treatment in the very frail elderly individual.