Therefore, we remain uninformed about clinical and behavioral responses of older patients with cancer to cancer treatment. This article gives a broad overview of what some of the dimensions of cancer treatment in the elderly are, and raises issues for behavioral research. The literature is reviewed in general for cancer treatment and briefly addresses areas such as comorbidity, function, adverse events, palliation and side effects, social and psychological factors, cognition, and provider behavior. The importance to behavioral research is discussed. Challenges for behavioral researchers are discussed in the context of cancer treatment. Few studies were found specific to behavioral research.

Oops, you're using an old version of your browser so some of the features on this page may not be displaying properly. Bossi, A. Antonuzzo, N.

Older people are much more likely than younger people to get cancer, so most doctors who treat cancer oncologists see mainly older adults. Some doctors pediatric oncologists specialize in treating childhood cancers. Each type of doctor tends to work in an office or cancer center geared toward treating either older adults or children. Doctors tend to use more intense treatments when treating children with cancer than when treating adults.