Haematological support, fatigue and elderly patients

As the median age of the global population rises, the incidence of cancer is also set to increase, leading to a growing elderly population with cancer. Despite this trend, older patients have traditionally been under-represented in the majority of oncology trials. This is largely due to their heterogeneous nature and extended medical histories that have the potential to hinder treatment. Indeed, it is widely recommended that patients' suitability for a given treatment should not be based on age alone, but rather by an assessment of physiological age on an individual basis. As evidence grows that existing therapies, such as chemotherapy, can be suitable for older patients, the management of these patients has become of increasing importance to oncologists. In particular, the management of haematological toxicities and their effects may be key to achieving optimal clinical outcomes among patients undergoing chemotherapy. Using two of the most common haematological toxicities, anaemia and neutropenia, as examples, we explore current therapies for elderly patients with cancer, and discuss the future management of this growing patient population.