Radiotherapy in Geriatric Genitourinary Cancer Patients

radyasyon_onkolojisi_102

E. Elif ÖZKANa , Hatice BAŞARAN GÖKSENb
aSüleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Isparta, Türkiye
bKayseri City Education and Research Hospital, Clinic of Radiation Oncology, Kayseri, Türkiye

Özkan EE, Başaran Göksen H. Radiotherapy in geriatric genitourinary cancer patients. In: Metcalfe E, ed. Radiotherapy and Current Developments in Geriatric Cancers. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2024. p.41-51.

ABSTRACT
Urogenital cancers, specifically prostate cancer is diagnosed mostly in men older than 65 years. In >80 years patients, bladder cancer is the fourth reason of cancer-related deaths. However, evidence on treatment decision for these patients are based on clinical trials which disproportionately include younger and more fit patients than the clinical practice. It is, therefore, still a challenge to decide on appropriate treatment approach for older men and whether the same algorithm may be followed as their younger counterparts. Other than that, increase in life expectancy, made the appropriate treatment choice a problem for also health insurance payers. Several screening tools are used for accurate assessment of frailty, functional status, life expectancy, and treatment toxicity risk in older population. These tools also guide clinicians for increasing a patient’s reserve and improve treatment tolerance via adequate interventions allowing more men to become a candidate for radical treatment approach. In this review, pretreatment assessment and decision tools for older men with prostate and bladder cancer, and current radiotherapy interventions regarding technique, fractionation, and treatment deintensification alternatives are discussed.

Keywords: Geriatrics; bladder cancer; prostate cancer; genitourinary malignancies; radiotherapy

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