ABSTRACT
Cancer occurs most frequently in patients aged 65 and older. With the increasing age of the world’s population, there will be a significant increase in cancer diagnoses in older adults. Aging imposes a wide variety of physiological responses, comorbidities, and ailments, but older patients are less represented in clinical studies. Specific needs of older patients with cancer often go under-recognized and consequently unmet. In this review, common diagnoses that can affect the outcomes of this population, including frailty, malnutrition, and delirium, are discussed. Areas that need further research to improve the care of geriatric cancer patients, particularly in the hospital settings, are also identified.
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Declaration of interest
The contents of the paper and the opinions expressed within are those of the authors, and it was the decision of the authors to submit the manuscript for publication.
Reviewers disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.