As CRC is essentially a disease of the elderly, with a median age at diagnosis of about 70, we were curious to know whether for an otherwise healthy patient respondents would use bevacizumab regardless of age. Consistent with what we have seen in other related assessments, 81% of GOs and both our faculty members do not apply an age limit for otherwise healthy patients, even though these individuals may be inherently at greater risk of cardiovascular events.

Price TJ et al. Bevacizumab is equally effective and no more toxic in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer: A subgroup analysis from the AGITG MAX trial: An international randomised controlled trial of capecitabine, bevacizumab and mitomycin C. Ann Oncol 2012;23(6):1531-6. Abstract

Tournigand C et al. Adjuvant therapy with fluorouracil and oxaliplatin in stage II and elderly patients (between ages 70 and 75 years) with colon cancer: Subgroup analyses of the Multicenter International Study of Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin in the Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer trial. J Clin Oncol 2012;30(27):3353-60. Abstract

Meyerhardt JA et al. Effectiveness of bevacizumab with first-line combination chemotherapy for Medicare patients with stage IV colorectal cancer. J Clin Oncol 2012;30(6):580-1. Abstract