[Decision making in geriatric oncology]. / Mécanisme de décision en oncogériatrie.

ABSTRACT

The decision making process, based on screening, diagnostic, staging, therapeutic and multidisciplinary decision procedures, is very well defined in oncology. Recently the same approach has been applied to the management of senior adult cancer patients. Screening of geriatric problems and evaluation of health status are linked to the oncologic evaluation. A comprehensive knowledge of the different health problems is discussed through a multidisciplinary approach. This needs a specific organization and collaboration between oncologists and geriatricians. It requires also the elaboration of specific decision trees of cancer adapted to the case of senior adult patients.