Geriatric Oncology at BMCHRC

The Geriatric Oncology Speciality at BMCHRC understands the complex needs of elderly cancer patients. Our focus is on delivering comprehensive care, grounded in a deep understanding of the intersections between ageing and appropriate oncological care. We understand that older adults often have more than one health condition, polypharmacy, and can have reduced physiological reserve compared to younger patients. Our approach recognises that factors such as reduced physical and mental strength require more personalised and attentive care led by a team of experienced oncologists and geriatricians. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive the most advanced therapies available, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Considering all the aspects of old age, our experts plan treatments to elevate overall health, daily functioning, and quality of life, ensuring safe, effective, and respectful care for every senior patient we serve.

⁠Innovative Cancer Care

We tackle the most difficult challenges, not only to provide the best possible health outcomes for our patients but also to drive innovation even further.

Treatment Planning For Geriatric Cancer Patients

Cancer treatment in the elderly is more complicated than in younger patients because of the commonly present pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disorders, lung disease, joint issues, or weakness.Treatment decisions are guided by Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) which evaluates functional status, comorbidities, cognition, nutrition, psychological health and social support. We don't merely consider chronological age when making treatment decisions; instead functional and biological age is a more significant factor. However, age alone should not be the deciding factor. When deciding how to treat cancer patients in their late years, our expert geriatric medical oncologists, geriatric surgical oncologists, and geriatric radiation oncologists take several factors into consideration.

Treatment Goals For Geriatric Cancer Patients

The treatment goals are made on the basis of whether a complete cancer cure is possible and, if so, what treatment modalities are most effective. We carefully weigh potential benefits against associated risks when choosing a treatment modality. In cases where a cure is not possible, we can control cancer progression with appropriate treatment options.

Surgical Care For Geriatric Cancer Patients

Surgical options for geriatric cancer patients are not only based on the stage and type of cancer but also on the functional status of the heart, liver, kidney, and lung. If the patient is fit,  then standard surgeries can be recommended, providing excellent treatment outcomes with minimal risks. However, if patients are not fit, it may be best to recommend alternative treatment options instead of surgery. Preoperative optimisation and post operative monitoring are integral part of surgical planning in elderly patients.

Chemotherapy For Geriatric Cancer Patients

Patients in Geriatric Oncology often experience anxiety about their ability to tolerate chemotherapy. However, following a thorough comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), we can select safe chemotherapy drugs, doses, and schedules for elderly patients. Our geriatric expert medical oncologists are trained to modify and handle the chemotherapy even in such vulnerable patients. Our advanced medical oncology care allows us to provide more selective treatment with targeted therapies to our geriatric cancer patients. Those modifications to weekly schedules and oral regimes are preferred wherever appropriate to improve tolerability.

Radiation Therapy For Geriatric Cancer Patients

Advances in Radiation Therapy have led to better precision in care with minimal toxicities. In certain cases where patients are not fit for standard surgical treatment, they can receive comparable results from aggressive radiation, with or without chemotherapy. Short course radiation protocols are hypofractional and commonly used to reduce treatment burden without compromising outcomes.  It can also provide great symptom relief in case of pain, bleeding, etc.

Comorbidity Management For Geriatric Cancer Patients

This approach takes into account the pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cardiac disease, renal issues, and hypertension that have a direct impact on the planning of cancer therapy. Our specialised team manages and controls such conditions before proceeding with further care.

Nutritional & Functional Rehabilitation Support For Geriatric Cancer Patients

This support addresses common Geriatric Oncology challenges such as weight loss, muscle wasting, and treatment intolerance, while also providing rehabilitation for any associated disability, thereby improving functional independence and overall quality of life.

Palliative Care & Symptom Management For Geriatric Cancer Patients

Palliation focuses on symptom relief, comfort, dignity and quality of life . In some cases, when the cancer has advanced and become aggressive, the mainstay of treatment is to alleviate symptoms and make the patient as comfortable as possible.