Palliative Care for the Elderly with Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer in the elderly is common. Patients with colorectal cancer are often inflicted with numerous physical symptoms. They also bear psychological and spiritual distress when dealing with the disease. The elderly are not only more prone to the side effects of medications used in the treatment, but also more susceptible to psychiatric affliction such as depression. Palliative care of these patients not only aims to relieve their physical, psychological, and spiritual suffering, but also that of their families.