Korean J Geriatr Gerontol.  2018 Dec;19(2):81-88. 10.15656/kjcg.2018.19.2.81.

Management of Gynecologic Malignancies in the Elderly Women

• Choi MC

• KMID: 2566459
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15656/kjcg.2018.19.2.81

Abstract

In 2018, Korea officially enters an “aged society” likewise most of developed countries. Cancer is one of common diseases in older adults and its prevalence increases with prolonged life expectancy among older adults. Ovarian and endometrial carcinomas are most common in postmenopausal women. Cervical cancer in the elderly is common and the stage at time of initial diagnosis is later compared with their counterparts, middle-aged and young women. Advanced age, by itself, should not alter care plans of diagnostic or therapeutic approach to gynecologic malignancy. The Papanicolaou test remains the primary screening test of cervical cancer in the elderly. However, serologic tests such as CA-125 or transvaginal ultrasound are not widely accepted as the screening tests of ovarian or uterine cancers. The cost-effectiveness of these tests as screening tools remains unclear. Radical pelvic surgery, multi-drug chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy can be applied to elderly women with gynecologic malignancy as curative or palliative therapy purposes. This article is a comprehensive review of the management of gynecologic malignancy in the elderly women.

Keyword

Elderly; Gynecology; Malignancy; Treatment