Skin cancer in older people
Skin cancer is particularly common in older people. A person's age is not, on its own, a criterion for making decisions about skin cancer treatment.
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What should be taken into account when deciding on treatment?
The decision should be made by assessing the patient's situation and the characteristics of the tumour together.
BEYOND AGE
The patient's situation
It is important to assess the patient's functional status and independence, as well as associated symptoms (bleeding, pain, etc.) and the use of multiple medications.
All these factors can affect how well surgical treatment is tolerated and the ability to recover, so age alone should not be used to recommend or rule out a treatment option.
TUMOUR BEHAVIOUR
Characteristics of the tumour
The characteristics of the skin cancer itself should also be assessed, such as the size of the tumour, its location, how fast it grows and how aggressive it is.
These factors help to determine whether treatment is needed and the most suitable option in each case, taking into account both cancer control and the impact on quality of life.
TREATMENT DECISION
Operating when it offers a benefit
The aim is not to operate on every patient, nor to rule out surgery simply because of age.
The decision should seek the best possible balance between cancer control, treatment safety, ability to recover and quality of life.
This makes it possible to adapt treatment to each person's specific circumstances, avoiding both giving up a potentially effective option and carrying out procedures whose expected benefit does not outweigh their impact.
“Good surgeons know how to operate, better surgeons know when to operate, but the best of all know when not to operate.”
British Medical Journal, 1999
Specialist consultation
Dermatologist · Dr. David Moreno