As the population ages, the incidence of ovarian cancer is increasing, with almost half of all cases arising in women age 65 and older. Since older women fair worse than younger women on standard therapy, more research is needed to uncover the best treatment options and treatment decision-making tools for this vulnerable population.

• Treatment of Ovarian Cancer in the Older Woman: This Gynecologic Oncology review article discusses how standard surgical and chemotherapy treatment options for ovarian cancer differ in older women compared with younger women. Authors highlight modified treatment regimens and geriatric assessment tools currently in development.
• Development of a Geriatric Vulnerability Score in Elderly Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer Treated With First-Line Carboplatin: A GINECO Prospective Trial: Researchers from France studied patients age 70 and older with advanced ovarian cancer treated with first-line carboplatin to determine the effect of geriatric assessment variables on overall survival. As detailed in this Annals of Oncology article, a high geriatric vulnerability score (low albumin, functional dependency, lymphopenia and anxiety/depression) was most reliable when making treatment decisions for older patients with advanced ovarian cancer.