Assessment of the older cancer patient

The correct assessment of a cancer patient is a key step in the treatment p rocess. In older people, this assessment entails not only the patient's bas ic medical history and the standard cancer staging, but also much more comp rehensive evaluation of the various facets of the patient's health and envi ronment that may interfere with his or her therapy. Patient fitness for ele ctive surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy must be considered. Geri atricians have defined the relevant aspects of the general evaluation of th e older person, and now this work is being adapted to cancer patients. This article reviews the various aspects of a comprehensive assessment applicab le to the cancer patient in settings such as academic oncology programs, co operative group studies, and private oncology practice.