Abstract

RUIZ, E. et al. Repercussion of age on management of neoplastic patients in an Internal Medicine Service . An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2002, vol.19, n.10, pp.14-20. ISSN 0212-7199.

Aim: To determine whether age is a factor affecting the management of patiens diagnosed with neoplastic disease in an internal medicine service.  Patients and methods: Prospective study of 388 patients diagnosed with cancer in the internal medicine service of a large public health teaching hospital. We evaluated clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, types and stage of neoplasm, referral after hospital discharge and treatment. A comparative study based on age was performed between patients 65 years older and patients under this age.  Results: The 388 cancer patiens accounted for 12% of hospital admissions in our service. Among the total, 62% were >= 65 years old. Constitutional syndrome, the most frequently associated symptom and the main reason for the consultation, was more common in the >= 65-year-old group. Lung cancer was predominant in men and hematologic neoplasms in women. Patients >= 65 were referred more frequently to internal medicine physicians, general practitioners and home palliative assistance services (p<0.05) and they received only palliative treatment in a greater percentage of cases (50% vs. 37%, p=0.001).  Conclusions: The incidence of neoplasms in our service was high (12%), with a considerable percentage of patients in advanced phases of the disease (83%). Age was not related to diagnostic methods nor was it determinant in the staging, but it did have repercussions on treatment; patients >=65 received palliative treatment alone more often than younger patients.

Keywords : Neoplasm; Cancer; Age.

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