Geriatric oncology focuses on cancer in older adults, who may have other illnesses, take several medicines and have different tolerances for treatment. Age alone does not decide treatment. A person's overall fitness, daily function, memory, nutrition and social support are considered.

A geriatric assessment looks at walking, balance, falls, nutrition, mood, memory, medicines and home support. It helps predict who can safely have full-dose treatment, who needs a gentler plan and who may do better with comfort-focused care.

Treatment may be adjusted, with lower doses, different drugs or fewer cycles, so that benefits outweigh harms. Older patients may also need extra monitoring for dehydration, infection and confusion.

Geriatric oncology services at Apex include:

• Fitness and Frailty Assessment: Review of mobility, nutrition, memory, mood and other illnesses to judge how well a patient is likely to tolerate treatment.
• Medicine Review: Checking all current medicines for interactions with cancer drugs and for side effects such as dizziness and falls.
• Adjusted Treatment Plans: Dose changes, different schedules or oral options for older patients, with close observation to catch problems early.
• Comfort and Quality-of-Life Care: Pain control, nutrition support and discussion of goals so that treatment reflects what matters to the patient and family.