Surgery in Geriatric Oncology

Surgical treatment of older patients with cancer requires careful evaluation of physiological reserve, frailty, concomitant diseases and individual health conditions. The incidence of cancer in this patient group is increasing and surgery is still considered an effective treatment option in many types of cancer. However, the surgical decision-making process in older individuals can be challenging and is often based on subjective assessments. Comprehensive geriatric assessment analyzes the functional, cognitive, psychosocial and general health status of older patients, contributes to the prediction of surgical outcomes and guides individualized treatment decisions. Surgery can be successfully applied to older individuals with common cancer types such as breast, colon, stomach, hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers with careful patient selection and a multidisciplinary approach. While palliative surgery aims to control symptoms and improve the quality of life in patients with advanced-stage cancer, the effectiveness of these interventions also depends on accurate assessment processes. Literature shows that older individuals can achieve similar results to younger patients in terms of morbidity and mortality after surgery. Patients for whom surgery is determined to be an appropriate treatment option should not be excluded from this option due to age-related prejudices. In conclusion, surgical treatment decisions in older patients with cancer should be made according to the general health status and frailty level of the individual, as well as tumor biology. With appropriate assessment methods, surgery can improve the duration and quality of life.