This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental Data eLetters: Submit a response to this article Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services E-mail this article link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints/Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wasil, T. Articles by Lichtman, S. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wasil, T. Articles by Lichtman, S. M.

Clinical Pharmacology Issues Relevant to the Dosing and Toxicity of Chemotherapy Drugs in the Elderly

^a Division of Oncology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, USA; ^b Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Commack, New York, USA

Correspondence: Stuart M. Lichtman, M.D., F.A.C.P., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 650 Commack Road, Commack, New York 11725, USA. Telephone: 631-623-4100; Fax: 631-864-3827; e-mail: lichtmas{at}mskcc.org

Persons over the age of 65 years are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. In the next 30 years, they will comprise more than 20% of the population. Fifty percent of all cancers occur in this age group, and therefore, there is an expected rise in the total cancer burden. Data are becoming available that will better guide the use of chemotherapy in the older patient population. In this paper, information regarding age-related physiologicchanges and their relationship to pharmacology, functional status, and hematopoiesis is presented. The adjuvant treatment of breast and colon cancer, as well as the primary therapy of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma is reviewed. The treatment of more advanced breast, ovarian, and non-small cell lung cancer is also discussed.

Key Words. Elderly • Pharmacology • Toxicity • Chemotherapy

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. McKibbin, C. R. Frei, R. E. Greene, P. Kwan, J. Simon, and J. M. Koeller Disparities in the Use of Chemotherapy and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Elderly Advanced Colorectal Cancer Patients in the Community Oncology Setting Oncologist, August 1, 2008; 13(8): 876 - 885. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V Launay-Vacher, E Chatelut, S. Lichtman, H Wildiers, C Steer, and M Aapro Renal insufficiency in elderly cancer patients: International Society of Geriatric Oncology clinical practice recommendations Ann. Onc., August 1, 2007; 18(8): 1314 - 1321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A Gondos, B Holleczek, V Arndt, C Stegmaier, H Ziegler, and H Brenner Trends in population-based cancer survival in Germany: to what extent does progress reach older patients? Ann. Onc., July 1, 2007; 18(7): 1253 - 1259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Bouchardy, E. Rapiti, S. Blagojevic, A.-T. Vlastos, and G. Vlastos Older Female Cancer Patients: Importance, Causes, and Consequences of Undertreatment J. Clin. Oncol., May 10, 2007; 25(14): 1858 - 1869. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Terret, G. B. Zulian, A. Naiem, and G. Albrand Multidisciplinary Approach to the Geriatric Oncology Patient J. Clin. Oncol., May 10, 2007; 25(14): 1876 - 1881. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]