Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai Launches Geriatric Oncology Clinic

Navi Mumbai, September 8, 2026: Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai has launched a dedicated Geriatric Oncology Clinic to provide specialised cancer care for older adults, with treatment decisions based on overall health and functional ability rather than chronological age alone.

The clinic will assess factors including frailty, nutritional status, cognitive health, existing medical conditions, medication burden, functional independence and social support when planning cancer treatment. Apollo Hospitals said the approach is intended to help doctors determine whether patients can safely undergo standard treatment or require modified regimens and additional support.

According to the hospital, nearly one in two cancer cases in India are now estimated to occur among people aged 60 and above, increasing the need for specialised geriatric oncology services.

Dr. Tejinder Singh, Professor and Lead Consultant – Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, said, “One-third of all cancer patients who come here for treatment are above 60 years of age. Cancer care for older adults cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Age alone does not tell us whether a patient is fit enough for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or surgery. What matters is the patient’s overall health, functional independence, nutritional status, cognitive ability, co-existing illnesses and personal treatment goals.

Through this clinic, we aim to ensure that every older patient receives the right treatment, at the right intensity, with quality of life and dignity remaining central to every decision.”

Dr Sayali Damle - Consultant, Geriatric Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, said, “Geriatric oncology is not about giving less treatment to older patients. It is about preventing both undertreatment of fit patients who can benefit from cancer therapy and overtreatment of frail patients who may face avoidable complications. A detailed geriatric assessment allows us to identify risks early, address reversible concerns and personalise care in a way that improves safety and supports better outcomes.”

The clinic brings together medical oncologists, geriatricians, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists and other support specialists. The multidisciplinary team will support patients from diagnosis and treatment planning through supportive care and follow-up.

The initiative also addresses the assumption that advanced age should automatically rule out chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy or targeted therapy. For patients with identified vulnerabilities, interventions such as nutritional support, physical rehabilitation, medication rationalisation and management of co-existing illnesses may be considered as part of treatment planning.

The clinic is intended to help older adults and their families make treatment decisions that balance cancer control with safety, independence, comfort and quality of life.