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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2014; 20(8): 1910-1922
Published online Feb 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i8.1910
Published online Feb 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i8.1910
Management of locally advanced and metastatic colon cancer in elderly patients
Peter C Kurniali, Borys Hrinczenko, Anas Al-Janadi, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Michigan State University, MI 48910, United States
Author contributions: Kurniali PC, Hrinczenko B and Al-Janadi A contributed equally to this work by performing literature search, writing and drafting the manuscript, as well as carefully reviewing the submitted version.
Correspondence to: Anas Al-Janadi, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Breslin Cancer Center of Michigan State University, 401 W Greenlawn Ave, Lansing, MI 48910, United States. anas.al-janadi@hc.msu.edu
Telephone: +1-517-9759500 Fax: +1-517-9759511
Received: October 24, 2013
Revised: December 16, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: February 28, 2014
Processing time: 125 Days and 1.2 Hours
Revised: December 16, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: February 28, 2014
Processing time: 125 Days and 1.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Despite survival benefit, fewer older patients with colon cancer receive chemotherapy, likely due to concerns regarding safety and efficacy of chemotherapy. The decision to treat elderly patients with advanced and metastatic colon cancer requires the incorporation of a thorough evaluation. Fit elderly patients are especially appropriate for treatment and should be offered the same regimens as their younger counterparts. Treatment related toxicities and quality of life should be monitored very closely in elderly patients receiving chemotherapy and more frequent follow-up should be arranged. In frail elderly patients, sequential single agent chemotherapy may be more tolerable than combination therapy.