Care needs of older patients with advanced cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarized current research evidence examining care needs of older patients with advanced cancer in dealing with disease, treatment, and treatment-related side effects. It also identified gaps and directions for future research and practice.

RECENT FINDINGS: Older patients with advanced cancer need support from health professionals, family, friends, and other social network members in the management of physical symptoms and functioning, psychosocial and spiritual care, information provision, and practical resolution of daily problems. As older patients are affected by aging-related factors, they usually have unique patterns of care needs compared with younger patients.

SUMMARY: Currently, insufficient research evidence hinders a comprehensive understanding of care needs of older patients with advanced cancer, as well as potential influencing factors. Future efforts are needed to develop more sophisticated assessment methods and interventions to better understand and address care needs of older patients with advanced cancer.