Prostate Cancer in the Elderly Male: Diagnostic and Management Considerations

Purpose of Review: Along with an aging US population comes the growing need for clinical guidelines inclusive of and specific to this unique group. Prostate cancer (PCa) is increasingly recognized as a substantial cause of mortality and morbidity in the elderly. This review seeks to address the unmet need for standardized PCa screening and management protocols for geriatric men and to synthesize recommendations based on recent literature. Recent Findings: Guidelines regarding PCa screening in elderly men are still being optimized, with many organizations moving toward inclusion of pre-screening global health assessment. Physician compliance with screening and treatment of PCa in geriatric patients is suboptimal, despite advanced age being a predictor of advanced disease. Elderly patients may experience treatment-related side effects which differ from their younger counterparts. Summary: Providers treating older men are encouraged to utilize comprehensive health assessments which account for comorbidities, functional status, and global well-being, along with shared decision-making, in determining diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.