Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare type of blood cancer that mainly affects older adults, typically those in their 70s or beyond. It develops slowly and has features of both myelodysplastic syndromes (which cause ineffective blood cell production) and…
Elderly patients are at higher risk of treatment-related complications due to a combination of physiological, medical, and social factors that uniquely affect their ability to tolerate and respond to medical interventions. As people age, their bodies undergo changes that reduce…
Breast density refers to the proportion of fibrous and glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue in a woman’s breasts. Women with dense breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissue, which appears white on a mammogram, making it harder to detect…
Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that arises from smooth muscle cells, which are found in various parts of the body such as the uterus, blood vessels, and the walls of the digestive tract. In older…
Esophageal varices are swollen, enlarged veins in the lining of the esophagus, usually caused by increased pressure in the portal vein system—a condition known as portal hypertension. This often results from liver diseases such as cirrhosis. While esophageal varices themselves…
Pituitary tumors in older adults often develop slowly and can be challenging to detect early because their symptoms may be subtle or mistaken for normal aging. The pituitary gland, a small but crucial gland located at the base of the…
Smoking has a profound impact on lung cancer treatment outcomes in elderly patients, influencing both the effectiveness of therapies and overall survival. In older adults diagnosed with lung cancer, continued smoking tends to worsen prognosis by interfering with treatment mechanisms,…
The most common cancers linked to HPV (human papillomavirus) in seniors primarily include cervical, oropharyngeal (mouth and throat), anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers. HPV is a virus that infects skin and mucous membranes, and while many infections clear on…
Lymphoma relapse occurs more frequently in elderly patients due to a combination of biological, physiological, and treatment-related factors that uniquely affect this age group. As people age, their immune system naturally weakens—a process called immunosenescence—which reduces the body’s ability to…
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare but serious cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It typically develops many years—often 30 to 60 years—after exposure to asbestos, a mineral once widely used in construction and manufacturing.…