The role of radiotherapy in the management of elderly cancer patients in light of the GROG experience

60-70% of all cancers will develop in individuals aged 65 and over during t his century. Radiation therapy will play a major role in the treatment of c ancer, especially in the elderly. The Italian Geriatric Oncology Group (GRO G) in 1994 started a number of prospective studies to assess the characteri stics of each elderly cancer patient referred to the radiotherapy centers ( age, gender, performance status, comorbidity, ADL, family status) and the m ain features of the tumor in that patient. Based on the obtained results, t he role of radiotherapy is underlined and future perspectives are identifie d. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.