Guidelines Urge Treating Older Men According to Their Health Status, Not Age

New guidelines from the International Society of Geriatric Oncology said that prostate cancer patients older than 70 years should be treated based on their individual health status, not on their age. The task force also said that elderly patients who are in good health should receive the same treatment as younger patients, but patients who are frail or have multiple health problems may not be able to handle aggressive cancer treatment. A better understanding of the role of active surveillance for less aggressive prostate cancer is also contributing to the individualization of care. The guidelines also encourage taking into account patient preference.