Medical Trust Hospital
Geriatric Oncology Unit
Cancer treatment requires a completely different approach when it involves our senior citizens. At Medical Trust Hospital in Kochi, our dedicated Geriatric Oncology Clinic delivers comprehensive cancer care designed specifically for older adults. As Kerala's first dedicated multidisciplinary geriatric oncology unit and a cancer hospital for the elderly in Kochi, we address the unique medical, functional, nutritional, psychological, and social needs of elderly patients diagnosed with cancer.
Our approach combines advanced cancer treatment with comprehensive geriatric assessment, ensuring that every treatment plan is tailored to the individual's overall health, functional status, personal goals, and quality of life.
According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research - National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR), Kerala faces a unique healthcare landscape:
As life expectancy rises, the intersection of aging and oncology becomes our most critical clinical challenge, making it essential to evaluate the age-related cancer risk Kerala faces today.
Many families wonder why cancer becomes more common as we get older. The link between advancing age and a rising cancer risk comes down to a few natural biological changes in our bodies over time. Over a lifespan of 70 or 80 years, our cells are continually exposed to internal stress and lifestyle factors, causing tiny genetic mutations to accumulate until they reach a tipping point, adding to the general age-related cancer risk Kerala has witnessed over the years.
When we are young, our bodies have highly efficient "repair shops" that fix these cellular mistakes instantly, but these defence mechanisms naturally slow down as we age. At the same time, the immune system undergoes a process called immunosenescence, a natural decline in its ability to hunt down and destroy abnormal cells
Combined with decades of exposure to chronic inflammation and metabolic risk factors common in Kerala, such as tobacco use or obesity, older tissue simply becomes more vulnerable to developing tumours. At Medical Trust Hospital, known to many as the Best Cancer Hospital in Kerala, our combined Geriatric and Oncology teams don't just treat your chronological age; we understand and care for the unique, altered biology of the ageing body.
Older adults seeking specialized Geriatric oncology Kochi care often face challenges that extend beyond the disease itself, including:
Our team helps patients and families navigate these challenges while making informed treatment decisions that best suit the patient's needs.
Treating cancer in older adults requires more than standard oncology—it demands a balance between eradicating the tumor and preserving the patient's independence, organ function, and overall quality of life. Here is why families across Kerala trust us with senior cancer care:
As pioneers in senior-focused cancer care, we bring together specialized medical oncologists and geriatricians under one roof.
Every treatment plan is co-designed by a dedicated team of oncologists, geriatricians, dietitians, physiotherapists, and palliative care experts to suit the patient's specific health goals.
Using our Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), we evaluate physical strength, organ reserve, and cognitive health—ensuring treatment is neither over-aggressive nor under-delivered.
We specialize in dose-adjusted chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapies, and minimally invasive geriatric surgeries designed to minimize side effects and speed up recovery.
Older adults often manage diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease alongside cancer. Our team actively manages polypharmacy (multiple medications) to prevent dangerous drug interactions and safeguard organ function.
From fall prevention and nutritional support to emotional counseling and home-based palliative care, we support both the patient and their family caregivers through every stage of treatment.
We rigorously measure functional independence using standardised tools. This tells us a patient's true biological capacity to navigate therapy, far beyond what their date of birth says.
Given the high prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions in Kerala, we review all existing medications to eliminate toxic drug-to-drug interactions during chemotherapy or targeted interventions.
Seniors face a higher risk of cognitive vulnerabilities and rapid muscle loss during treatment. We introduce proactive nutritional and neuro-supportive roadmaps right from day one.
Our multidisciplinary tumour board, comprising medical oncologists, surgical specialists, geriatricians, and specialised nurses, crafts an age-adjusted, low-toxicity therapy plan unique to the patient.
Comprehensive, age-adapted cancer care designed to improve outcomes, preserve independence, and enhance quality of life.
Comprehensive, patient-centred cancer care tailored to the unique needs of older adults.
A detailed evaluation that helps us understand each patient's overall health and ability to tolerate treatment.
Our patients benefit from the expertise of a dedicated multidisciplinary team working together to provide coordinated, patient-centred care.
Every complex case can be reviewed by our dedicated tumour board, ensuring age-adapted and evidence-based treatment planning.
This collaborative approach ensures treatment decisions are individualised and clinically appropriate.
Medical Trust Hospital is committed to advancing geriatric oncology through research, professional training, and innovation.
We also offer a dedicated Fellowship in Geriatric Oncology to train future specialists.
At Medical Trust Hospital, we are dedicated to advancing the field of geriatric oncology through specialized clinical education, training, and professional development.
We offer a 1-Year Certified Fellowship in Geriatric Oncology, certified by the Asian Geriatric Oncology Society (AGOS). This post-doctoral fellowship is designed for medical professionals seeking in-depth clinical expertise in age-adapted cancer care, comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), comorbidity management, and low-toxicity treatment strategies for elderly cancer patients.
Oncologists, geriatricians, palliative care specialists, and healthcare professionals can join our Short Institutional Visits to experience Kerala's first dedicated multidisciplinary Geriatric Oncology Unit. Observe our 4-step Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), attend Geriatric Oncology Tumour Board discussions, and gain practical insights into delivering senior-focused cancer care.
To lead the advancement of geriatric oncology in Kerala and India by providing compassionate, patient-centred cancer care that improves outcomes, preserves dignity, and enhances quality of life for older adults living with cancer.
At Medical Trust Hospital, our commitment to advancing elderly cancer care goes beyond routine clinical practice.
Through our participation in multi-institutional national clinical trials in partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai we actively contribute to ground-breaking research that aims to optimize treatments, reduce toxicity, and improve the quality of life for older Indian cancer patients.
All our studies undergo rigorous review and are approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) to ensure the highest standards of patient safety and clinical integrity.
| Study Title | Focus & Domain | IEC Reference No |
|---|---|---|
|
Optimizing Chemotherapy in the First Line
for Older Patients with Advanced
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
|
Lung Cancer /
Dose Optimization
Evaluating personalized first-line systemic treatment pathways to maximize efficacy while curbing treatment toxicities in older lung cancer patients. |
Ref. No.
MTHEC/3567/24
APPROVED
|
|
Geriatric Oncology Multidomain
Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive
Impairment among Older Indian Patients
with Cancer receiving chemotherapy
|
Neuro-Cognitive
Preservation
Testing proactive multi-faceted supportive interventions to protect brain health, memory, and cognitive function during systemic chemotherapy. |
Ref. No.
MTHEC/2103/25
APPROVED
|
|
Development of a New Prediction Score
(CARG GI) for Chemotherapy Toxicity in
Older patients with Gastrointestinal
Cancer - A Multicentre, Prospective study
|
Toxicity Prediction
(Gastrointestinal)
Building and validating an India-specific risk stratification tool to identify older GI cancer patients susceptible to high-grade chemotherapy side effects. |
Ref. No.
MTHEC/3803/25
APPROVED
|
|
Unmet Supportive Care Needs Among
Indian Geriatric Cancer Patients
|
Supportive Care &
Quality of Life
A nationwide assessment mapping physical, emotional, social, and logistical needs to shape better supportive care policies for senior citizens. |
Ref. No.
MTTH/EC/2104/25
APPROVED
|
Focus: Non-pharmacological sleep and behavioral health interventions aimed at alleviating chemotherapy-induced insomnia and improving overall daytime functioning and recovery.
Non-pharmacological sleep and behavioral health interventions aimed at alleviating chemotherapy-induced insomnia while improving overall daytime functioning and recovery.
Clinical trials provide eligible older adults with access to specialized care protocols, close monitoring, and innovative supportive interventions under the supervision of our multidisciplinary team.
Our multidisciplinary Geriatric Oncology team brings together specialists in Oncology, Geriatric Medicine, and Supportive Care to deliver personalized, age-adapted cancer treatment.
Explore our video library featuring expert discussions, patient education snippets, and in-depth podcasts on geriatric cancer care, treatment tolerance, and healthy aging.
Quick 1–2 minute explainer videos covering common questions about cancer screening in seniors, managing side effects, and nutrition.
Watch VideoIn-depth discussions with our multidisciplinary team on biological vs. chronological age, polypharmacy safety, and modern low-toxicity therapies.
Listen PodcastStay updated with our latest patient stories, medical webinars, and expert talks from Medical Trust Hospital.
