Aging impacts cancer development with incidence rising exponentially. Age-related genetic and epigenetic changes, along with the aging microenvironment, contribute to cancer development. In older individuals, tumours manifest a heightened mutational burden and distinct genetic changes which differ significantly from tumours observed in younger patients. The aging microenvironment accumulates senescent cells, altered matrix, and a dysregulated immune system. Age-related changes in the immune system fuel tumour development and treatment resistance. Understanding these processes is crucial for optimized treatment of older patients with cancer, as discussed in this review.
Published under Open Access CC-BY-NC-BD 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.