Framing the Preoperative Assessment of the Oncogeriatric Patient. The Surgeon ’s Point of View

AbstractElderly cancer patients constitute a steadily rising population and present a challenge for their physicians, who are confronted not only with medical questions, but also with ethical and social dilemmas. Oncogeriatric patients are underrepresented or excluded from clinical trials, especially in the field of surgery, resulting in a lack of evidencebased knowledge regarding their preoperative evaluation, treatment and follow-up. We therefore outline here a framework for the decision-making process, based on recognition of the problem, clarification of the relevant terms, and delineation of the challenges that need to be overcome in designing a meaningful, successful treatment plan for the elderly patient with cancer.
Source: Hellenic Journal of Surgery - Category: Surgery Source Type: research