Ovarian cancer in the elderly patient.

Ovarian cancer is a disease of the elderly, with more than 50% of cases occurring in women over 65 years of age. Studies from national databases, reporting institutions, and cooperative groups conducting clinical cancer research indicate that elderly women with epithelial ovarian cancer have a worse prognosis than younger women. Elderly women present with more advanced cancers that are usually of high grade and with aneuploid DNA content. In contrast to younger patients, elderly women more frequently do not receive definitive chemotherapy or surgery and seemingly undergo less aggressive treatments. Age alone does not appear to be a risk factor for surgical morbidity or drug treatment toxicity. Research is needed regarding age-related genetic alterations in ovarian cancer. Clinical trials of ovarian cancer treatment in elderly women should include quality of life measurements, recognizing the specific functional and psychosocial expectations of this patient population.