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Multidisciplinary Approach to the Geriatric Oncology Patient

Catherine Terret, Gilbert B. Zulian, Arash Naiem, Gilles Albrand

From the Lyon's Geriatric Oncology Program Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon; Lyon's Geriatric Oncology Program, Hôpital Antoine Charial, Francheville, France; Geneva University Hospitals, Centre de Soins Continus, Collonge-Bellerive, Switzerland; and the University of California, Los Angeles Geriatric Oncology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

Address reprint requests to Catherine Terret, MD, Hôpital Charles LeMoyne, 3120 Bl Taschereau, Greenfield Park, Quebec J4V 2H1, Canada; e-mail: catherine.terret{at}usherbrooke.ca

Given the dramatic demographic shift observed in developed countries, the medical community, especially oncologists, geriatricians, and primary care providers, are confronted with the expanding challenge of the management of elderly people with cancer. Ageing is associated with the accumulation of multiple and various medical and social problems. With a prevalence comparable to that of other chronic conditions in this age group, such as diabetes or dementia, cancer holds a prominent place among diseases of the elderly. The care of elderly cancer patients is fundamentally interdisciplinary. Communication and collaboration between geriatricians/primary care providers and oncologists represent key features of effective care in geriatric oncology. The combination of the disease-oriented approach of oncologists and the patient-oriented approach of geriatricians is the most powerful way to better serve this specific population. The medical approach of elderly cancer patients should ideally be under the lead of geriatricians or primary care providers sensitive to geriatric issues. Oncologists should manage the biologic consequences of the interplay between cancer and ageing. Close collaboration between clinicians will help promote active dedicated clinical research and the development of guidelines on the management of elderly people with cancer.

Authors' disclosures of potential conflicts of interest and author contributions are found at the end of this article.

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