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Oncologic Problems in the Elderly

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Handbook of Geriatrics

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Abstract

With the exception of childhood leukemias and central nervous system tumors, age is the single greatest risk factor for developing a malignancy. Sixty percent of all cancer occurs after age 60 with an incidence reaching almost one in ten by age 70. Possible etiologic factors that have been suggested include the cumulative exposure to carcinogens (both initiators and promoters) or altered host regulation mechanisms resulting in decreased immune surveillance. Disorders of immune function predispose to increase rates of malignancy. This can be demonstrated in patients with hereditary immunodeficiency, organ transplantation with immunosuppression, autoimmune disease, and following curative chemotherapy for other malignancies. Altered regulation with aging may lead to activation or “derepression” of oncogenes already present in the genome. Alternatively, the deficit may reflect a decreased ability to repair somatic mutations in DNA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Aging and Adult Development, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services)

  2. Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services)

  3. Ruth Taylor Geriatric and Rehabilitation Institute, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services)

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  1. Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Aging and Adult Development, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services)

  2. Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services)

  3. Ruth Taylor Geriatric and Rehabilitation Institute, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics and Chief of Medical Services)

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© 1987 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Gambert, S.R. (1987). Oncologic Problems in the Elderly. In: Gambert, S.R. (eds) Handbook of Geriatrics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1687-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1687-7_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-42336-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1687-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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