Cancer in the elderly: is it time for palliative care in geriatric oncology?

BACKGROUND: Persons aged 65 and over are the fastest growing segment of the population in most Western countries. Although cancer-related death occurs far more commonly in older people than in any age group, studies on palliative care in older adults are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims at evaluating the needs in elderly patients affected by cancer and the state of the art of the research in palliative care in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed (PubMed) to identify relevant studies. Papers were reviewed for relevance to palliative care in the elderly. RESULTS: Elderly who need palliative care are frequently disregarded as individuals and may experience discrimination because of their age. Palliative care for older patients relates particularly to multiple treatments for various conditions. This causes extra complexities for the researchers. CONCLUSIONS: The aim of the study was not fully achieved due to the paucity of literature focusing upon these issues. The areas of investigation that need to be addressed comprise: establishing the prevailing symptoms in elderly patients, understanding patients' psychological/spiritual well-being and quality of life and elucidating the sources of caregiver burden, adapting research methodologies specifically for palliative care and comparing the needs and the outcomes of this age group to younger patients.