Using Proton Beam Therapy in the Elderly Population: A Snapshot of Current Perception and Practice

Publication date: Available online 6 January 2017
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics
Author(s): Juliette Thariat, Terence Sio, Pierre Blanchard, Samir Patel, Yusuke Demizu, Federico Ampil, Sebastien Guihard, Robert C. Miller, Ulf Karlsson, Marco Krengli, Huan Giap, Nam Nguyen
Allocation to advanced radiation technologies is challenged by the increasing proportion of elderly cancer patients. Current decision-making systems for proton therapy (PT) do not adequately address the clinical needs. Based on a survey among radiation oncologists, a gap was shown between chronological age and eventual PT allocation. It also pointed out a lack of systematic geriatric assessment and the potential for PT to limit the toxicity burden and hospital costs in the elderly.



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