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.
Older individuals often manage multiple health challenges such as hypertension (present in over 30% of adults in the state) or elevated blood glucose levels alongside a cancer diagnosis. Treating cancer in senior citizens is a delicate balancing act: we must target the tumour while vigorously protecting their independent lifestyle, organ function, and everyday quality of life.
Our clinical framework relies on a meticulous Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) to map out an individualised care strategy.
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.
Standard adult chemotherapy dosages can easily overwhelm an ageing liver or kidneys. We specialise in dose-adjusted chemotherapy for seniors, alongside advanced low-toxicity options such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies that treat disease effectively while preserving quality of life.
Through targeted anaesthesia, intraoperative monitoring, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, major curative procedures remain safe and effective for older adults while supporting faster recovery and mobility.
We provide personalised, risk-stratified screening for breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers, balancing preventive care with each patient's overall health goals and life expectancy.
Working closely with home-health and palliative care teams across Kerala, we help manage symptoms, reduce treatment side effects, and provide ongoing emotional and physical support for both patients and caregivers.
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.
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.
