Treatment options for colorectal cancer in the elderly.

The median age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer is during the seventh decade of life, and the incidence of the disease increases continuously with age. However, as the age of the patient increases, the possibilities of receiving adequate cancer treatment diminishes and the mortality rises. Thus, there is a huge need to redefine treatment strategies in elderly patients with colorectal carcinoma. The geriatric population is a very heterogeneous group where patients with an excellent health status coexist with those with both comorbidities and functional dependency. Therefore, it is necessary to personalize treatment in relation to the degree of vulnerability of the elderly patient. It is essential to perform a multidimensional geriatric assessment in order to consider the cancer and the stage, as well as to identify features that could modify survival or interfere with therapy. The aim of this review is to discuss the factors that are relevant for therapeutic management in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]