The authors offered to 296 consecutive cancer patients aged > or = 70 to undergo a joint comprehensive geriatric and oncological assessment. After pluridisciplinary discussion, several reflections have emerged: the need in 15 - 32% of cases to reinforce the role of the paramedical staff; the correlation between age, low clinical indices, alteration of renal function as well as geriatric characteristics; 67% of evaluated cases presented a significant geriatric profile; recommendations for patients' management in relation to their pattern of frailty and health aging (standard, adapted or palliative treatment).