Gastrointestinal tract cancer in the elderly

Gastrointestinal cancers in the elderly are the commonest malignancies worl dwide. As a result of new diagnostic and staging techniques, such as endosc opic ultrasound and introduction of new treatment regimens, such as chemora diation programs, modest success has been achieved in the early diagnosis a nd treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in the elderly. Attitudes towards c ancer treatment in the elderly are changing. Management decisions in the el derly should follow the same principles as those in younger patients.