V Bouzereau1, F Le Caer2, E Guardiola3, C Scavennec4, J R Barriere5, L Chaix6, H Le Caer7. 1. Geriatric Department, CH de Draguignan, France. Electronic address: valentineb1@yahoo.fr. 2. Geriatric Department, CH de Draguignan, France. Electronic address: francoise.lecaer@ch-draguignan.fr. 3. Oncology Department, CH de Draguignan, France. Electronic address: emmmanuel.guardiola@ch-draguignan.fr. 4. Oncology Department, CH de Draguignan, France. Electronic address: catherine.scavennec@ch-draguignan.fr. 5. Oncology Department, CH de Draguignan, France. Electronic address: jean.renaud.barriere@ch-draguignan.fr. 6. Geriatric Department, CH de Draguignan, France. Electronic address: Laurence.chaix@ch-draguignan.fr. 7. Oncology Department, CH de Draguignan, France. Electronic address: herve.lecaer@ch-draguignan.fr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our main aim was to describe and explore a multidisciplinary approach to the management of elderly patients with cancer, who constitute a heterogeneous population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was performed between October 2009 and September 2010. Patients with cancer ≥ 70 years of age were included. Some underwent a simplified multidimensional geriatric assessment with a Charlson score administered by an oncologist, and the evaluation was submitted to a geriatrician who decided whether or not a complete a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (n=54) should be done. Another group of patients directly underwent a CGA (n=49), and a few patients included in a specific trial underwent a geriatric assessment (n=8). Each patient was classified as fit, vulnerable, or frail by a multidisciplinary team. RESULTS: 111 patients were included (median age: 81 years [range: 65-96]; 60 males). The most frequent types of cancer were lung (n=29), gastrointestinal (n=20) and head and neck (n=14). Median Charlson score was 2.1 [range: 0-9]. Standard therapy was given to 37/41 (90%) fit, 19/41 (42%) vulnerable, and 6/29 (21%) frail patients. Thirteen frail patients received best supportive care. A social worker was mobilized for 2/41 (5%) fit, 14/41 (34%) vulnerable, and 11/29 (38%) frail patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study outlines the possibilities of cooperation between geriatricians and oncologists in a general hospital. This collaboration could modify therapeutic schedules especially in frail and vulnerable patients.
OBJECTIVES: Our main aim was to describe and explore a multidisciplinary approach to the management of elderly patients with cancer, who constitute a heterogeneous population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was performed between October 2009 and September 2010. Patients with cancer ≥ 70 years of age were included. Some underwent a simplified multidimensional geriatric assessment with a Charlson score administered by an oncologist, and the evaluation was submitted to a geriatrician who decided whether or not a complete a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (n=54) should be done. Another group of patients directly underwent a CGA (n=49), and a few patients included in a specific trial underwent a geriatric assessment (n=8). Each patient was classified as fit, vulnerable, or frail by a multidisciplinary team. RESULTS: 111 patients were included (median age: 81 years [range: 65-96]; 60 males). The most frequent types of cancer were lung (n=29), gastrointestinal (n=20) and head and neck (n=14). Median Charlson score was 2.1 [range: 0-9]. Standard therapy was given to 37/41 (90%) fit, 19/41 (42%) vulnerable, and 6/29 (21%) frail patients. Thirteen frail patients received best supportive care. A social worker was mobilized for 2/41 (5%) fit, 14/41 (34%) vulnerable, and 11/29 (38%) frail patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study outlines the possibilities of cooperation between geriatricians and oncologists in a general hospital. This collaboration could modify therapeutic schedules especially in frail and vulnerable patients.
Authors: Sarah A Wall; Erin Stevens; Jennifer Vaughn; Naresh Bumma; Ashley E Rosko; Uma Borate Journal: Curr Hematol Malig Rep Date: 2022-01-13 Impact factor: 4.213