Ovarian Cancer Cytoreductive Surgery in the Elderly

The Application and Outcome of Standard of Care Treatment in Elderly Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Literature Review over the Last 10 Years

The rising number and increasing longevity of the elderly population calls for improvements and potentially a more personalized approach to the treatment of cancer in this group. Elderly patients frequently present with a number of comorbidities, complicating surgery and chemotherapy tolerability. In the case of ovarian cancer, elderly women present with more advanced disease, making the issue of providing adequate treatment without significant morbidity critical. Most studies support the application of standard of care treatment to elderly women with ovarian cancer, yet it seems to be offered less frequently in the elderly. The objective of this review is to examine the application and outcome of standard of care treatment in elderly women with ovarian cancer. The aim is to ultimately improve the approach to treatment in this group.

[Requirements for perioperative intensive care of geriatric patients]

BACKGROUND

Demographic change has also caused changes in perioperative intensive care because the proportion of geriatric patients who must undergo surgical procedures is increasing. With the current preoperative assessment instruments, it is still not possible to identify high-risk patients of this collective or to make a reliable prognosis concerning postoperative course.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In addition to pain control, important aspects to minimize complications in postoperative intensive care include adequate oxygenation, adequate fluid management, an adequate supply of energy and nutrients, good control of blood sugar levels, and early mobilization of patients.

RESULTS

The perioperative intensive care treatment of geriatric patients requires the readiness to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration because only with this close dialog can the treatment results be sustained.

Management of the Elderly Patient With Gynecologic Cancer: Report of the 2011 Workshop in Geriatric Gynecologic Oncology

Abstract

Reflecting the worldwide aging trend and close association of aging with cancer, geriatric oncology is now growing beyond its pioneer years. Nevertheless, geriatric oncology in the gynecologic field is in the beginning stage; indeed, there is no geriatric specialist who is trained in this particular field of gynecologic oncology. Therefore, we held the first workshop in geriatric gynecologic oncology. In this review, we summarize what we discussed at the workshop and provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancer in elderly individuals.