Management of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Elderly Patients
A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 79
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Gastrointestinal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells in the digestive tract, and it comprises several distinct types, including cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, small bowel, colon, rectum and anus. Elderly patients represent a substantial proportion of patients who are diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer, with age being one of the most significant risk factors associated with cancer incidence. Management of these gastrointestinal cancers often requires surgeries, chemotherapies and radiation treatments, which are all aggressive in nature and pose a significant risk to the older adults who are diagnosed with these cancers.
Multidisciplinary evaluation is critical in developing treatment plans that ensure safe delivery and optimal outcomes for the diagnosis.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Epidemiology and Demographics
- Prevalence: GI cancers, including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic and esophageal cancers, are common in the elderly, with incidence increasing with age.
- Demographics: elderly patients often present with comorbidities, frailty and decreased physiological reserves, influencing management decisions.
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment is essential for evaluating the patient's overall health, functional status, comorbid conditions, cognitive function and social support while also taking into consideration the patient's ability to tolerate procedures when using diagnostic tools.
- Treatment Considerations
- Surgery—feasibility and opportunity to use minimally invasive techniques.
- Chemotherapy: Tolerance—elderly patients may have reduced tolerance to chemotherapy due to renal and hepatic impairments. Dose adjustments—often necessary to balance efficacy and toxicity.
- Radiotherapy: Side effects—increased sensitivity in the elderly may require dose modifications. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy—careful selection is crucial to avoid excessive toxicity.
- Targeted and Immunotherapies: Precision medicine—may offer better-tolerated alternatives with fewer side effects. Biomarker testing—important for selecting appropriate candidates for these therapies.
- Supportive and Palliative Care: symptom management as well as nutritional and psychological support.
- Research and Clinical Trials: criteria and encouragement for inclusion of the elderly and age-specific studies.
- Ethical and End-of-Life Considerations: informed decision making to ensure patients and families understand the potential benefits and risks of treatment options.
Overall, the management of GI cancers in elderly patients should be individualized, considering the heterogeneity in health status among this age group. A balance between treatment efficacy and quality of life is paramount, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care and supportive measures.
Dr. Susan L. Gearhart
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- gastrointestinal cancer
- elderly patients
- multidisciplinary evaluation
- immunotherapy
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