Clinical aspects of the management of elderly women diagnosed with gynecologic malignancies: Treatment decisions and choices

The number of elderly women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer is increasing. This paper reviews the current trends in the management of elderly gynecologic cancer patients. Our goal is to identify critical issues that must be weighed when selecting treatment for elderly gynecologic oncology patients. As individuals continue to achieve longer lifespans, and the population of elderly women continues to grow, gynecologic oncologists will face new challenges regarding treatment. Due to minimal inclusion in randomized controlled trials and the influence of selection bias in many of the current studies, little evidence-based data is available regarding the most effective treatment options for this population. It is therefore unclear whether treatment should differ from that offered to younger populations, and if so under what circumstances. As of yet, there are no validated measures by which to determine tolerability and success of aggressive therapies for this population. Ultimately, each patient must be evaluated individually with regards to risk factors and prognosis, and therapy should not be withheld from elderly individuals solely on the basis of age alone.