Clinical safety of chemotherapy for elderly cancer patients complicated with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

To access the safety of chemotherapy for elderly cancer patients complicated with hypertension.

METHODS

Elderly cancer patients who were complicated with hypertension and treated by chemotherapy were recruited. All patients were treated by chemotherapy after an intervention on hypertension by psychotherapy, exercise guidance, salt regulation and nutrition support, therapy on hypertension, as well as prevention on hypertension associated complications.

RESULTS

In 68 eligible patients, two suspended chemotherapy because of adverse reactions and 4 because of disease progression. The remaining 62 patients completed chemotherapy smoothly based on good hypertension control.

CONCLUSION

With effective control of blood pressure, chemotherapy for elderly cancer patients complicated with hypertension is generally safe.