Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Science of Neoplasia

  • Chapter
Geriatric Medicine

  • 236 Accesses

Abstract

Cancer is a geriatric disease. 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. This chapter discusses certain of these common, clinically relevant principles relating cancer and aging. Additionally, an extension of these principles to the topics of cancer prevention and management is presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Weinberg RA. Oncogenes and the Molecular Origins of Cancer. Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Korsemeyer SJ. Programmed cell death: Bcl-2. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Important Advances in Oncology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1993: 19–28.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Nichols J, Nimer SD. Trancription factors, translocation and leukemia. Blood. 1992; 80: 2953–2963.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Shields PG, Harris CC. Principles of carcinogenesis: chemical. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology. 4th ed. Philadephia: JB Lippincott; 1993: 200–212.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Meyskens FL. Strategies for prevention of cancer in humans. Oncology. 1992; 6 (suppl 2): 15–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Vogelstein B, Fearon ER, Hamilton SR, et al. Genetic alterations during colorectal tumor development. N Engl J Med. 1988; 319: 525–532.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. James CD, Carlbom E, Dumanskji JP, et al. Clonal genomic alterations in glioma malignancy stages. Cancer Res. 1988; 48: 5546–5551.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Boyle P, Leake R. Progress in understanding breast cancer: epidemiological and biological interactions. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1988; 11: 91–112.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Harris JR, Lippman ME, Veronesi U, Willett W. Breast cancer.N Engl J Med. 1992; 327: 319–328, 390–398, 473–480.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Carney DN. Biology of small cell lung cancer. Lancet. 1992; 339: 843–846.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Correa P. Biochemical and molecular methods in cancer epidemiology and prevention: the path between the laboratory and the population. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 1993; 2: 85–88.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Vineis P. Epidemiological models of carcinogenesis: the example of bladder cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 1992; 1: 149–154.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. El Azouzi M, Chung RY, Farmer GE, et al. Lost of distinct regions on the short arm of chromosome 17 associated with tumorigenesis of human astrocytomas. Proc Natl Acad Sei USA. 1989; 86: 7186–7190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Linehan WM, Gnarra JR, Lerman MI, et al. Genetic bases of renal cell cancer. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Important Advances in Oncology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1993: 47–70.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Franco EL. Prognostic value of human papillomavirus in the survival of cervical cancer patients: an overview of the evidence. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 1992; 1: 499–504.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Anisimov VN. Age as a factor of risk in multistage carcinogenesis. In: Balducci L, Lyman GH, Ershler WB, eds. Geriatric Oncology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1992: 53–60.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Fernandez-Pol JA. Growth factors, oncogenes, antionco-genes and aging. In: Balducci L, Lyman GH, Ershler WB, eds. Geriatric Oncology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1992: 76–85.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Stevens RG, Jones DY, Micozzi MS, Taylor PR. Body iron stores and the risk of cancer. N Engl J Med. 1988; 319: 1047–1052.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Anisimov VN. Effect of age on dose-response relationship in carcinogenesis induced by single administration of N-methynitrosourea in female rats. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 1988; 114: 628–635.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ward JM, Lynch P, Riggs C. Rapid development of hepatocellular neoplasms in aging male C3H/HeNcr mice given phénobarbital. Cancer Eett. 1988; 39: 9–18.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ebbesen P. Reticulosarcoma and amyloid development in BALB/c mice inoculated with syngeneic cells from young and old donors. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1971; 47: 1241–1245.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Anisimov VN, Loktionov AS, Khavinson VK, Morozov VG. Effect of low molecular weight factors of thymus and pineal gland on life span and spontaneous tumor development in female mice of different age. Mech Ageing Dev. 1989; 49: 245–257.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Kaldor JM, Day NE. Interpretation of epidemiological studies in the context of the multistage model of carcinogenesis. In: Barrett JC, ed. Mechanisms of Environmental Carcinogenesis, vol 2. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 1987: 21–57.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Tantranond P, Karam F, Wang TY, et al. Management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in an elderly man. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1992; 40: 510–512.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Glass AG, Hoover RN. The emerging epidemic of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. JAMA. 1989; 262: 2097–2100.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Matoha MF, Cosgrove JW, Atak JR, Rappoport SI. Selective elevation of the c-myc transcript levels in the liver of the aging Fischer 344 rat. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1987; 147: 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Bohr VA, Evans MK, Fornace AJ. Biology of disease: DNA repair and its patogenetic implications. Lab Invest 1989; 61: 143–161.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Balducci L, Wallace C, Khansur T, et al. Aging, nutrition and cancer, an annotated review. I- Diet, carcinogenesis and aging. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1986; 34: 127–136.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Randerath K, Reddy MV, Disher RM. Age-and tissue-related DNA modifications in untreated rats: detection by 32P-post-labeling assay and possible significance for spontaneous tumor induction and aging. Carcinogenesis. 1986; 7: 1615–1617.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ershler WB. The influence of an aging immune system on cancer incidence and progression. J Gerontol. 1993; 48: B3- B7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Miller RA. Aging and cancer: another perspective. J Gerontol. 1993; 48: B8 - B10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Covelli V, Mouton D, Majo V, et al. Inheritance of immune responsiveness, life span and disease incidence in interline crosses of mice selected for high or low multispecific antibody production. J Immunol. 1989; 142: 1224–1234.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ershler WB, Stewart JA, Hacker MP, Moore AL, Tindle BH. B16 murine melanoma and aging: slower growth and longer survival in old mice. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1984; 72: 161–165.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ershler WB, Moore AL, Shore H, Gameiii RL. Transfer of age-associated restrained tumor growth in mice by old to young bone marrow transplantation. Cancer Res. 1984; 44: 5677–5681.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Tsuda T, Kim YT, Siskind GW, et al. Role of the thymus and T-cells in slow growth of B16 melanoma in old mice. Cancer Res. 1987; 47: 3097–3103.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Ershler WB. Guest editorial: Why tumors grow more slowly in old people. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1986; 77: 837–839.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Simon SR, Ershler WB. Hormonal influences on growth of B16 murine melanoma. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1985; 74: 1085–1088.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ershler WB, Berman E, Moore AL. B16 melanoma growth is slower, but pulmonary colonization is greater in calorie restricted mice. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1986; 76: 81–85.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Ershler WB, Gamelli RL, Moore AL, Hacker MP, Blow AJ. Experimental tumors and aging: local factors that may account for the observed age advantage in the B16 murine melanoma model. Exp Gerontol. 1984; 19: 367–375.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Hadar E, Ershler WB, Kreisle RA, Ho S-P, Volk MJ, Klopp RG. Lymphocyte-induced angiogenesis factor is produced by L3T4+ murine T lymphocytes, and its production declines with age. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 1988; 26: 31–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kreisle RA, Stebler B, Ershler WB. Effect of host age on tumor associated angiogenesis in mice. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1990; 82: 44–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Fidler IJ, Gersten DM, Riggs CW. Relationship of host immune status to tumor cell arrest, distribution and survival in experimental metastases. Cancer. 1977; 40: 46–55.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Prehn RT, Lappe MA. An immunostimulation theory of tumor development. Transplant Rev. 1971; 7: 26–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Prehn RT. The immune reaction as a stimulator of tumor growth. Science. 1972; 176: 170–175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Schiede C, Elkins D, Mason D, et al. Influence of age on smoking cessation. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1992; 40: SA3.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kelloff GJ, Malone WF, Boone CW. Progress in applied chemoprevention research. Semin Oncol. 1990; 17: 438–455.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Buring JE, Hennekens CH. Cancer prevention: retinoids and carotenoids. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1993: 464–474.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Hong WL, Lippman SM, Itri LM, et al. Prevention of second primary tumors with isotretinine in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. N Engl J Med. 1990; 323: 725–731.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Lippman SM, Batsakis JG, Toth BB, et al. Comparison of low-dose isotretinoin with beta carotene, to prevent oral carcinogenesis. TV Engl J Med. 1993; 328: 15–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Alpha Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group. The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. N Engl J Med. 1994; 330: 1029–1035.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Hennekens CH, Buring JE, Peto R. Antioxidant vitamins—benefits not yet proved. N Engl J Med. 1994; 330: 1080–1081.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Ballmer PE, Stahelin HB. Beta carotene, vitamin E and lung cancer. N Engl J Med. 1994; 331: 612–613.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Goldstein MR. Beta carotene, vitamin E and lung cancer. N Engl J Med. 1994; 331: 612.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Jordan VC. Estrogen receptor mediated direct and indirect antitumor effects of tamoxifen. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1990; 82: 1662–1663.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group. Systemic treatment of early breast cancer by hormonal, cytotoxic, or immune therapy. Lancet. 1992; 339: 1–15, 71–85.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Nayfield SG, Karp JE, Ford LG, et al. Potential role of tamoxifen in prevention of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1991; 83: 1450–1459.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Love R, Wiebe DA, Newcomb PA, et al. Effects of tamoxifen on cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. Ann Intern Med. 1991; 115: 860–864.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Love R, Mazess RB, Barden SH. Effects of tamoxifen on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 1992; 326: 852–856.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Reddy BS, Maruyama H, Kelloff G. Dose-related inhibition of colon carcinogenesis by dietary pyroxicam, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, during different stages of rat colon tumor development. Cancer Res. 1987; 47: 5340–5346.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Metzger U, Meier J, Ulschmid G, Weihe H. Influence of various prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors on DMH induced rat colon cancer. Dis Colon Rectum. 1984; 27: 366–369.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Labayle D, Fischer D, Vielh P, et al. Sulindac causes regression of rectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis. Gastroenterology. 1991; 101: 635–639.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Greenberg ER, Baron JA, Freeman DH, et al. Reduced risk of large bowel adenomas among aspirin users. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993; 85: 912–916.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, Zauber AG, et al. A hypothesis: non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs reduce the incidence of large-bowel cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1991; 83: 355–358.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Thun MJ, Namboodiri MM, Heath CW. Aspirin use and reduced risk of fatal colon cancer. N Engl J Med. 1991; 325: 1593–1596.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. William B. Ershler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Henry L. Schwartz Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, 10029-6574, New York, NY, USA

    Christine K. Cassel M.D. (Professor and Chairman) & Diane E. Meier M.D. (Associate Professor) (Professor and Chairman) &  (Associate Professor)

  2. Center for Study of Aging and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Duke University Medical Center, 27710, Durham, NC, USA

    Harvey J. Cohen M.D. (Director) (Director)

  3. University of Washington Medical Center, 98195, Seattle, WA, USA

    Eric B. Larson M.D., M.P.H. (Medical Director) (Medical Director)

  4. Gerontology Division, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 02115, Boston, MA, USA

    Neil M. Resnick M.D. (Chief) (Chief)

  5. Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Sepulveda VA Medical Center, 91343, Sepulveda, CA, USA

    Laurence Z. Rubenstein M.D., M.P.H. (Director) (Director)

  6. Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 60637, Chicago, IL, USA

    Leif B. Sorensen M.D. (Professor and Vice Chairman) (Professor and Vice Chairman)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ershler, W.B. (1997). The Science of Neoplasia. In: Cassel, C.K., et al. Geriatric Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2705-0_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2705-0_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-2707-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2705-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation