Management of Prostate Cancer in the Elderly

The impact of localized prostate cancer in the elderly depends on disease aggressiveness and life expectancy. In men with localized prostate cancer, those with low-risk disease or a shorter life expectancy should be managed expectantly, whereas those with long life expectancy or more aggressive disease may benefit from curative treatment. Comorbidity and quality-of-life concerns are key considerations during the selection of therapeutic modalities in the elderly in localized and metastatic settings. A variety of new agents have changed the therapeutic landscape in castrate-resistant prostate cancer, but their benefits need to be considered alongside their side effects and cost.