Oncologische heelkunde bij hoogbejaarde patiënten met urologische of gynaecologische tumoren

As a consequence of the increasing life expectancy, the world population ages rapidly. The chances of developing a tumour increase with age. Given the simultaneous increase of comorbidities, the feasibility of a standard treatment of an oncological disease is often doubted in older and certainly very old patients. Not the calendar age, but the biological age influences the feasibility of a treatment. Also elderly patients often desire a (standard) therapeutic treatment, even if this is a radical procedure with possible side-effects. The decision to treat an oncological problem should be made by a multidisciplinary team assessing both the aggressiveness of the disease and the patientU+2019s comorbidities. Equivalent alternatives as well as the availability of an experienced team are helpful in the decision-making process. A thorough preoperative assessment of the comorbidities ensures necessary precautions in perioperative care. In addition, the advances in anaesthesia, preand postoperative care and surgical techniques lead to an acceptable morbidity and mortality of major surgery, even at an advanced age. The further evolution in minimally invasive surgery with a laparoscopy and robotic surgery provides a quicker postoperative recovery and a reduced hospital stay.