| Theme |
Digestive Diseases of the Aged Over 85 -- the Characteristics and Therapeutic Points |
| Title |
Treatment in Elderly Patients aged >85 Years with Pancreatic and Biliary Tract Carcinoma |
| Author |
Nana Shibasaki |
Department of Endoscopy, Jikei University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Hiroo Imazu |
Department of Endoscopy, Jikei University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Hiroshi Toyoizumi |
Department of Endoscopy, Jikei University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Naoki Mori |
Department of Endoscopy, Jikei University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Keisuke Kanazawa |
Department of Endoscopy, Jikei University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Masafumi Chiba |
Department of Endoscopy, Jikei University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Hisao Tajiri |
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
As the population ages in Japan, the cancer morbidity rate increases. Elderly patients aged >85 years with pancreatic and biliary tract carcinoma often present with advanced stage cancer in addition to other comorbidities such as ischemic heart disease. The goal of cancer treatment in these patients may be to maintain their quality of life rather than attempt a cure. Under these circumstances, chemotherapy is often the mainstay of therapy, but evidence of the utility of chemotherapy for patients aged >85 years is lacking. Gemcitabine may be the preferred treatment owing to its decreased incidence of side effects. |