ABSTRACT
Cancer is a geriatric disease. As described elsewhere in this text, over 50% of all cancers occur in the 13% of the population over 65 years old and this population sustains over 60% of all cancer deaths. Neoplastic transformation at the cellular level involves many of the same genetic and molecular pathways as normal cellular senescence. Cell immortalization and senescence reflect contrasting outcomes that involve similar metabolic and molecular pathways. In this chapter, there is a discussion of certain of these common, clinically relevant principles relating cancer and aging. Additionally, host factors that influence the development and growth of cancer are discussed.
