Can elderly colon cancer patients tolerate chemotherapy after surgery?
Chemotherapy after surgery is as effective, and no more dangerous, for colon cancer patients age 70 and older as it is for younger patients. An international team of researchers studied seven clinical trials (research studies with people) on the benefits of chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery. The team found that the patients who received chemotherapy remained cancer-free longer and lived longer than the patients who did not have chemotherapy. Patients age 70 and older benefited from chemotherapy as much as the younger patients. Most cases of colon cancer occur in people age 65 and older. Chemotherapy is standard treatment when the patient has had surgery and is at high risk for the disease coming back. However, studies have shown that older patients receive chemotherapy less often than younger patients. Elderly patients may not be offered chemotherapy or may choose not to have it because of the mistaken belief that older people cannot tolerate the therapy well. Often, elderly pati
