Interdisciplinary topics in gerontology
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Interdiscip Top Gerontol · Jan 2013
ReviewOrganizing the geriatrician/oncologist partnership: one size fits all? Practical solutions.
Cancer in elderly patients is becoming a global issue, with the aging of the population and increased incidence of cancer with aging. Older patients with cancer have unique needs that can best be addressed by the integration of geriatrics principles and oncology care. ⋯ Practical issues to consider when creating a geriatrics/oncology partnership include the available resources in terms of interdisciplinary team members, the patient population in need, and the ability to provide primary, consultative, and/or shared care. Ultimately, creative strategies will be needed to maximize the limited availability of the geriatrician and oncologist.
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Interdiscip Top Gerontol · Jan 2013
ReviewSurgery in older cancer patients - recent results and new techniques: worth the investment?.
Recent developments in oncogeriatric surgery focus on several items - preoperative risk estimation and identification of frail patients and optimalization of perioperative care. New screening tools are being evaluated and show promising results. ⋯ The recent trend towards individualized treatment schemes will certainly be of benefit for the elderly population. More tools are becoming available to answer the most difficult question of all, namely whether surgery is the optimal treatment in this individual frail elderly oncogeriatric patient.