Should an 80 year old have radiation?

Should an 80 year old have radiation?

It has been suggested that psychosocial support during and after radiation therapy may improve overall quality of life. We found that in our patients who were age 80 or older, radiation therapy could be safely administered with both curative and palliative intent.

Can an 80 year old survive cancer?

First, there is no reason to deny older people adequate cancer therapy — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation — based on age alone. Individualization is critical; one size does not fit all! While one 80-year-old may tolerate a standard course of chemotherapy perfectly well, the next may not.

Is radiation dangerous for elderly?

Radiation treatments can negatively impact the quality of life for older adults in ways other than acute and long-term toxicities. As described above, older patients can be encumbered by geriatric syndromes that can reduce the effectiveness of anticancer treatments.

Is radiotherapy recommended for elderly?

Older adults usually do well with radiation therapy. The side effects depend on the type and dose of radiation therapy and where the cancer is. For example, radiation therapy for prostate cancer can cause different side effects than radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

How long can an 80 year old live with pancreatic cancer?

Methodology: Information was gathered retrospectively for 81 patients aged > or = 70 years with pancreatic cancer. Clinical parameters, treatments received and survival curves from initial treatment were analyzed. Results: Overall median survival was 6.2 months.

Does cancer spread slower in the elderly?

Many cancers in the elderly are slower growing and may not contribute to morbidity and mortality (risk of lead-time bias). There is an increased likelihood of dying from other co-morbid illnesses then from a screen-detected cancer.

What cancer do you get from radiation?

Cancers associated with high dose exposure include leukemia, breast, bladder, colon, liver, lung, esophagus, ovarian, multiple myeloma, and stomach cancers.

Can elderly survive cancer?

In most cases, it does not. A healthy older person often has the same chances of responding to treatment or being cured than a younger one. Even for patients with more health issues chemotherapy may help decrease cancer symptoms and growth, and help people live better and longer.