[Proposed development of a geriatric oncology unit. Times of change: Our reality].

Overview

Age is one of the main risk factors for the development of cancer. It is expected that the progressive aging of the population will have an unprecedented impact on the incidence of various tumours. In fact, the management of elderly cancer patients is already a major public health problem in developed countries. However, elderly patients have systematically been excluded from cancer drug studies or protocol development. This has left health professionals in uncharted territory, without proper tools to address the multiple difficulties that arise in the treatment of these patients. A comprehensive geriatric assessment may serve as an ideal tool for the correct detection of hidden problems, facilitating treatment decisions in these complex patients, and integrating the care of patients with comorbidities.