The Use of Chemotherapy in Elderly Cancer Patients: Dose Adjusting, Drug Interactions, and Polypharmacy

In geriatric oncology, the progressive decline of the functional reserve of multiple organ systems and restriction in personal and social resources represent the most important variables in treatment choice. As aging process is highly individualized, the key to safe and effective management of cancer in the older patient is individualization of treatment. The application of this model requires proper evaluation of the global health status of the older patient. The most reliable and best validated assessment is referred to as comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (Repetto et al. 2002; Extermann et al. 2005).