Management Of Cancer In The Older Patient

Management of Cancer in the Older Patient, by Drs. Arash Naeim, David Reuben, and Patricia Ganz, offers the help you need to effectively diagnose, refer, and manage cancer in geriatric patients. You’ll see how to provide effective cancer screening; refer your patients to the right oncologist; deal with comorbidities, frailties, and other complications; navigate end-of-life issues; and much more. A templated, user-friendly format makes it easy to find and apply the answers you need. See how to best manage geriatric cancer patients with help from leading specialists in both geriatrics and oncology Make informed decisions as to when to refer patients to specialists. Provide the supportive care your patients and their families need on issues such as such as mental health, pain, fatigue, nausea, insomnia. Be prepared to help cancer survivors navigate their after-treatment care including adjuvant therapy, side effects, second cancers, quality of life, and other concerns. Offer accurate guidance on ethical issues like competency, end of life, hospice, the role of the caregiver, and more.

The prevention and treatment of cancer in older patients requires an individualized approach, as age causes unpredictable results from patient to patient. Completely revised and updated, the Second Edition of Comprehensive Geriatric Oncology enables clinicians to choose the best possible cancer care. Highlighting newly emerging issues in geriatric oncology, it helps physicians promote cancer prevention. Like its groundbreaking, bestselling predecessor, this new edition exhaustively reviews the biology of cancer and aging, epidemiologic trends, and clinical trials that concern cancer prevention and treatment in the elderly. New chapters contain material on topics such as assessment, fragility, symptom management, and emergencies, and studies the effectiveness of training programs in geriatric oncology. The book addresses issues of healthcare delivery, including cost and evaluation of utility and outcome, suggests new research approaches, reviews existing guidelines for the prevention and treatment of cancer in the elderly, and more. Providing a frame of reference for the ongoing dialogue in the field of geriatric oncology, this is a major reference work for basic, population, and clinical scientists interested in the issue and for practices ministering to older patients.

Cancer is clearly an age-related disease. Recent research in both aging and cancer has demonstrated the complex interaction between the two phenomena. This affects a wide spectrum of research and practice, anywhere from basic research to health care organization. Core examples of these close associations are addressed in this book. Starting with basic research, the first chapters cover cancer development, mTOR inhibition, senescent cells altering the tumor microenvironment, and immune senescence affecting cancer vaccine response. Taking into account the multidisciplinarity of geriatric oncology, several chapters focus on geriatric and oncologic aspects in patient assessment, treatment options, nursing and exercise programs. The book is rounded off by a discussion on the impact of the metabolic syndrome illustrating the interactions between comorbidity and cancer and a chapter on frailty.This book provides the reader with insights that will hopefully foster his or her reflection in their own research and practice to further the development of this most exciting field. Given the aging of the population worldwide and the high prevalence of cancer, it is essential reading not only for oncologists and geriatricians but for all health practitioners.

I was looking at Mrs T – all 45 kilos of her – with somewhat puzzled thoughts. I had prescribed her capecitabine at very prudent doses, in view of her 91-year-old kidneys and physiology. She had reduced my treatment even further, “because it was making her tired.” As a result, she was taking a grand total of 500 mg of capecitabine a day. Yet, her metastatic, ER/PR-negative, Her2-positive breast cancer was undoubtedly responding. Her pain was improving and her chest mass was shrinking, as were her lung metastases... What was the secret of that response? Were Mrs T’s kidneys eli- nating even less drug than predicted by her creatinine clearance? Was her sarcopenia altering drug distribution? Was she absorbing more drug than average? Or was her tumor exquisitely sensitive to fluoropyrimidines? “Physicians,” said Voltaire, “pour drugs they know little for diseases they know even less into patients they know no- ing about.” Medicine has made tremendous progress since the eighteenth century. Yet, there are fields where quite a lot remains to be learned. In developed countries, 25% of breast cancers occur in patients aged 75 years and older. Yet, these patients represent only 4% of the population of traditional clinical trials. That ought to let us wonder how relevant data acquired in patients in their 60s are to a nonagenarian. Fortunately, geriatric oncologists have been stepping up to the task and have gen- ated data to help us to treat such patients.

"Description: The book offers a comprehensive overview of the treatment and care of the older adult with cancer. The evidence-based practice approach is timely and provides the foundation for nursing practice that is the expected standard of care. The use of the case study at the end of each chapter assists the reader in the synthesis and application of the information. The book addresses every aspect of the care and treatment of not only the cancer patient, but also the family. The chapter on complementary therapy is a bonus. Purpose: The purpose is to focus on the unique aspects of treatment and care that the older adult with cancer requires. Addressing the older adult with cancer is of paramount importance to not only the health of the individual but of the family, community, and society. The book meets the author's objectives. Audience: This is written for all healthcare providers. The authors have written a book that can be used by gero-oncology nurses, but it is appropriate for the multidisciplinary team that provides care to the older adult with cancer. The authors have the professional background with applicable experience to edit this book. Features: This book covers more than the care and treatment of cancer in the older adult. It provides necessary background information that demonstrates the impact of cancer on the older patient and their significant others. The assessment information is useful for both experienced and novice nurses. The use of chapter case studies enables healthcare providers to apply the chapter content. The use of an evidence-based practice approach to delivering healthcare is essential. The information allows nurses to use the findings from reviewed research literature in providing the best care for their patients in an efficient manner that also considers patient preferences, the risks, and the benefits of treatment or lack thereof. Assessment: This book provides guidance to novice to expert nurses in the treatment and care of the older adult cancer patient using a holistic approach. The chapters are well written by authors who are experts in their field. The Cochrane Guidelines are considered the gold standard for evaluating research that impacts treatment selection and care of all patients. Their use in the reference materials lends credibility to the information that is presented in the book." -- Publisher.

This practical manual in the care of older cancer patients won best oncology book in the BMA Medical Book Awards 2016, and is an essential tool created as a joint project of the Association of Cancer Physicians (ACP) and the British Geriatric Society (BGS). Written by 134 contributors who are all experts in their fields, it offers an overview of the latest developments, with 32 real life case studies. It is a valuable learning and reference resource for doctors, nurses, trainees and other professionals managing cancer in older patients. This evidence-based guidebook will assist the physician in managing the older cancer patient when implementing the appropriate treatment strategy, taking account of comorbidities, frailty, and patient choice. Each clinical case includes a concise discussion on patient presentation and of scenarios underpinning issues experienced by older patients followed by a clear appraisal of how the latest clinical research impacts on patient management. This large cohort of patients requires both innovative care and individual attention, and this carefully crafted book shares the experience of an expert multidisciplinary team in the interest of patient-centred care. It is essential reading for specialists in oncology, specialists in geriatric care, general physicians, doctors in training, oncology nurses, healthcare managers and administrators.

Cancer and aging are integrally related. Cancer incidence and mortality increase with age, with most cancer diagnoses and deaths occurring in patients aged 65 and older. The aging of the Baby Boomer population, along with an overall increase in life expectancy, points to a doubling of the U.S. population over age 65 by the year 2030. This demographic shift, combined with the known association of cancer and aging, is expected to bring about a rapid growth in the older cancer-patient population. It is clear that geriatric principles must become part of oncology care. The evaluation and development of treatment recommen- tions for an older adult with cancer can be challenging for many reasons. Tumor biology and response to therapy are affected by age. In addition, age-related factors may impact treatment patterns, tolerance, and efficacy. These age-related factors include functional status declines, comorbid conditions, changes in cognitive function, weakening of organ function, decreases in physiologic reserve, and faltering social support.

Because cancer in the older adult may be present in combination with other chronic conditions, including dementia and frailty, multidisciplinary care is especially important. This book provides nurses with essential information on the care and treatment of the older adult with cancer, including: An overview of cancer in the older adult, and barriers to treatment Prevention and screening of cancer in the older adult How to perform a comprehensive geriatric assessment, as a methodfor planning multidisciplinary care Practical applications of qualiy of life assessment and decision analysis Special considerations in radiation therapy and chemotherapy with the older adult Social and caregiver issues This book reflects lessons learned from a nurse-physician team who planned and implemented the Senior Adult Oncology Program at the.Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute in Florida.