A new study shows that older people can cope with chemotherapy but their functioning may be impaired by toxic side effects.

Although most cases of cancer occur among those over 65, in practice older people are less likely to be offered chemotherapy. One possible reason is that physicians fear that the patient might not be able to cope with the often aggressive drugs used. In the first prospective study of this issue, researchers assessed a group of patients on a number of measures for their response to chemotherapy.

They learned that where the patient suffered toxic effects from chemotherapy, they also experienced some functional and emotional decline too. Yet these corresponded to only minimal clinical problems. The patients in this group were aged 70 or older, and were receiving chemotherapy alone for a variety of cancers. The researchers conclude that it is feasible to give chemotherapy to older patients. But it is a good idea to detect and monitor any chemotherapy-related changes using the standard geriatric medicine tests. Age should not be a reason for denying anyone the life-prolonging benefit of chemotherapy.

Source

Cancer 15th February 2003 (on-line edition 3rd February)