Older female cancer patients: importance, causes, and consequences of undertreatment

Elderly and very elderly advanced ovarian cancer patients: does the age influence the surgical management?

BACKGROUND

To examine the surgical treatment and clinical outcome of elderly and very elderly advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed FIGO stage IIIC-IV ovarian cancer patients, divided in elderly (Group A, >65 and <75 years) and very elderly patients (Group B, ≥ 75 years) treated by primary debulking surgery (PDS) or by interval debulking surgery (IDS) at the Catholic University at Rome and Campobasso, Italy.

RESULTS

164 patients were included: 123 (Group A) and 41 (Group B). Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 60 patients (60.6%) in Group A and in 20 patients (62.5%) in Group B (p = 0.75). In the remaining cases, optimal cytoreduction was performed (39 cases (39.4%) in Group A and 12 (37.5%) in Group B; p = 0.75). In Group A complete/optimal debulking was achieved in 53 patients (53.5%) at PDS and in 46 patients (46.5%) at IDS (p = 0.55). In the Group B a higher rate of patients was debulked at IDS with respect to PDS (10 (31.3%) vs. 22 patients (68.7%); p = 0.02). In Group A patients debulked at PDS showed better DFS (p = 0.007) and OS (p = 0.003) with respect to patients submitted to successful IDS, whereas in group B we did not observed any survival difference according to time of cytoreduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that elderly and very elderly patients may tolerate radical and ultra-radical surgery. These patients should be managed in a gynecologic oncology unit, with prudent but complete approach.

Obesity and ovarian cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies that have examined the association between obesity and ovarian cancer survival have provided conflicting results. We reviewed and quantitatively summarized existing evidence, exploring potentially important sources of variability, such as the timing of body mass index (BMI) assessment and different cutpoints used to categorize BMI. A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted to identify original data evaluating the association between obesity and survival in women with ovarian cancer. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) from studies were pooled using a random-effects model. The meta-analysis of 14 studies showed slightly poorer survival among obese than in non-obese women [pooled HR, 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.34]. This estimate did not vary appreciably when BMI was measured before diagnosis (1.13; 0.95-1.35), at the time of diagnosis (1.13; 0.81-1.57) or at the commencement of chemotherapy (1.12; 0.96-1.31). We found a slightly stronger association in studies that only included women with a BMI ≥ 30 in their "obese" group (1.20) than in studies that also included overweight women (BMI ≥ 25; 1.14). Women with ovarian cancer who are obese appear to have slightly worse survival than non-obese women. However, there is a large amount of inter-study variation, which means that no solid conclusions can be drawn.

Physician, patient, and contextual factors affecting treatment decisions in older adults with cancer and models of decision making: a literature review

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To review physician, patient, and contextual factors that affect treatment decision making in older adults diagnosed with cancer, and to relate those factors to theoretical models of decision making.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed (1966 to April 2010), PsycINFO (1967 to April 2010) and CINAHL® (1982 to April 2010) databases were searched to access relevant medical, psychological, and nursing literature.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Physician factors in treatment decisions included physician's personal beliefs and values, medical expertise, practice type, perception of lowered life expectancy, medical factors, power, and communication style. Patient factors included personal beliefs and values, ethnicity, decisional control preferences, previous health-related experience, perception of the decision-making process, and personal factors. Contextual factors included availability of caregiver, insurance, financial status, and geographical barrier.

CONCLUSIONS

A diverse group of factors were identified, which are likely to form a unique framework to understand clinical decision making and plan future investigations in older adult patient populations. Using longitudinal and prospective designs to examine the real-time interplay of patient, physician, and contextual factors will enable a better understanding of how those divergent factors influence actual treatment decisions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Oncology nurses can advocate autonomous (patient-driven), shared, or family-controlled treatment decisions, depending on an older patient's decisional role preference. Nurses can support patient autonomy during treatment decision making by coaching patients to engage in discussion of various evidence-based treatment options and a comprehensive discussion of the probability of success for each option with specialist providers. Oncology nurses may be able to promote treatment decisions that are consistent with a patient's personal preferences and values, with strong consideration of the patient's personal contexts.

Paclitaxel efficacy and toxicity in older women with metastatic breast cancer: combined analysis of CALGB 9342 and 9840

BACKGROUND

Two Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) studies were utilized to determine the efficacy and tolerability of paclitaxel (Taxol) in older patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CALGB 9840 evaluated weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) versus paclitaxel every 3 weeks (175 mg/m(2)); CALGB 9342 evaluated three doses of paclitaxel as follows: 175, 210 and 250 mg/m(2) each over 3 h every 3 weeks. Of the 1048 patients, paclitaxel was used first line in 57%. The groups: (i) <55 years (45%), (ii) 55-64 years (29%), and (iii) ≥65 years (26%).

RESULTS

Tumor response was also similar among age groups. First-line therapy (P = 0.0001) and better performance status (PS) (P = 0.018) were significantly related to higher response. Age did not significantly relate to overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). First-line therapy, better PS, estrogen receptor positive status and a fewer number of metastatic sites were significantly related to improved OS and PFS. The grade ≥3 toxic effects that increased linearly with age were leucopenia (P = 0.0099), granulocytopenia (P = 0.022), anorexia (P = 0.028), bilirubin elevation (P = 0.0035) and neurotoxicity (P < 0.0001). Patients over 65 years receiving second-line therapy had the shortest time to neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Older women with breast cancer derive similar efficacy from treatment with paclitaxel as younger women. Older women are at increased risk for specific toxic effects.

Working Toward a Decision: The Development and First Impressions of a Decision Aid for Older Women with Early-stage Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The use of decision aids (DAs) have been advocated in cancer decisions to help patients understand treatment options and to promote patient involvement in the treatment decision. Although the challenges of involving older patients in treatment decision making have been highlighted, decisional support for older early-stage breast cancer patients has not been established yet. This study reports on the development of a DA prototype and the initial assessment of it.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a preliminary testing of the DA prototype to ensure that the format and information presented is clear and acceptable to patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Twelve one-on-one interviews were conducted with women over the age of 70 diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer after radiation therapy from an academic cancer centre.

RESULTS

The overall impression of the DA prototype was favorable with all participants rating the tool as extremely acceptable. All participants felt that this tool would be helpful for older women with early-stage breast cancer making decisions about treatments and would recommend its use in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

Similar to previous literature, we found that older breast cancer patients experienced difficulties expressing their concerns and found it challenging to participate in treatment decisions. These findings led to the next steps in the development of a DA for older early-stage breast cancer patients.

Surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer in elderly: an international comparison

Over 40% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed above the age of 65. Treatment of these elderly patients will probably vary over countries. The aim of this study was to make an international comparison (several European countries and the US) of surgical and radiation treatment for elderly women with early stage breast cancer. Survival comparisons were also made. Data were obtained from national or regional population-based registries in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, and Portugal. For the US patients were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Early stage breast cancer patients aged ≥ 65 diagnosed between 1995 and 2005 were included. An international comparison was made for breast and axillary surgery, radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery (BCS), and relative or cause-specific survival. Overall, 204.885 patients were included. The proportion of patients not receiving any surgery increased with age in many countries; however, differences between countries were large. In most countries more than half of all elderly patients received breast conserving surgery (BCS), with the highest percentage in Switzerland. The proportion of elderly patients that received radiotherapy after BCS decreased with age in all countries. Moreover, in all countries the proportion of patients who do not receive axillary surgery increased with age. No large differences in survival between countries were recorded. International comparisons of surgical treatment for elderly women with early stage breast cancer are scarce. This study showed large international differences in treatment of elderly early stage breast cancer patients, with the most striking result the large proportion of elderly who did not undergo surgery at all. Despite large treatment differences, survival does not seem to be affected in a major way.

Comparison of breast cancer recurrence risk and cardiovascular disease incidence risk among postmenopausal women with breast cancer

The majority of breast cancers are diagnosed in postmenopausal women. Competing comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), should be considered when individualizing adjuvant therapies for these women. We compared the 10-year predicted breast cancer recurrence risk with CVD risk among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), non-metastatic breast cancer. CVD risk factor data were prospectively collected from postmenopausal women with stage I-III, HR+ breast cancer initiating adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy. We compared predicted 10-year CVD risk, including the composite index heart age, computed from modified Framingham risk score, with predicted 10-year risk of breast cancer recurrence using Adjuvant! Online. We created multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for greater CVD risk than breast cancer recurrence risk. Among 415 women, mean age and heart age were 60 and 67 years, respectively. Overall, 43% of women had a predicted 10-year CVD risk equivalent to breast cancer recurrence risk and 37% had CVD risk higher than breast cancer recurrence risk. Predicted CVD risk was higher than breast cancer recurrence risk for stage I disease (OR: 6.1, 95% CI: 3.4-11.2) or heart age >65 (OR: 12.4, 95% CI: 7.0-22.6). The majority of postmenopausal women with HR+ early breast cancer had a predicted 10-year CVD risk that was equivalent to or higher than breast cancer recurrence risk. Physicians should weigh competing risks and offer early screening and cardiac prevention strategies for women at a greater risk for CVD.

Impact of comorbidity on mortality: a cohort study of 62,591 Danish women diagnosed with early breast cancer, 1990-2008

The incidence of breast cancer, as well as other chronic disease, increases with age, older breast cancer patients being more likely than younger to suffer from other diseases at time of diagnosis. Our objective was to assess the effect of comorbidity on mortality after early breast cancer. 62,591 women diagnosed with early breast cancer 1990-2008 were identified using the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group Registry. Data were linked to the Danish National Patient Register and the Danish Register of Causes of Death. Main outcome measures were mortality from all causes, breast cancer, and non-breast cancer causes in relation to Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Compared with patients without comorbidity (CCI 0), the presence of comorbidity increased the risk of dying from breast cancer as well as other causes with adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality of 1.45 (CI 95% 1.40-1.51) for CCI 1, 1.52 (95% CI 1.45-1.60) for CCI 2, and 2.21 (95% CI 2.08-2.35) for CCI 3+. Equivalent HRs for breast cancer-specific mortality were 1.30 (95% CI, 1.24-1.36) for CCI 1, 1.31 (95% CI 1.23-1.39) for CCI 2, and 1.79 (95% CI, 1.66-1.93) for CCI 3+ (all P values < 0.0001). For patients with CCI 0, 5-year overall survival increased over time from 72.5% (95% CI, 71.7-73.3%) in 1990-1994 to 81.6% (95% CI, 80.9-82.2) in 2000-2004, whereas the 5-year overall survival remained stable around 43% among the patients with CCI 3+. This population-based cohort study shows that compared with patients without comorbidity, the risk of dying from breast cancer as well as other causes increased significantly with increasing CCI score. While survival improved over time for patients without comorbidity, no improvement was seen among patients with severe comorbidity (CCI 3+).

Adjuvant chemotherapy in older women (ACTION) study - what did we learn from the pilot phase?

Background:

The ACTION trial was initiated to provide evidence from a randomised trial on the effects of chemotherapy in women aged over 70 years where evidence for risk and benefit are lacking.

Methods:

This was a randomised, phase III clinical trial for high risk, oestrogen receptor (ER) negative/ER weakly positive early breast cancer. The trial planned to recruit 1000 women aged 70 years and older, randomised to receive 4 cycles of anthracycline chemotherapy or observation. The primary endpoint was relapse-free interval. The trial included a pilot phase to assess the acceptability and feasibility of recruitment.

Results:

The trial opened at 43 UK centres. Information on number of patients approached was available from 38 centres. Of the 43 eligible patients that were approached, 39 were not randomised due to patients declining entry. After 10 months only 4 patients had been randomised and after discussion with the research funder, the trial was closed and funding terminated.

Conclusion:

Despite widespread support at several public meetings, input from patient groups including representation on the Trial Management Group, the trial failed to recruit due to the inability to convince patients to accept randomisation. It would therefore seem that randomising the patients to receive chemotherapy vs observation is not a viable design in the current era for this patient population.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the Decision-Making Process in Elderly Patients With Cancer: ELCAPA Study

Purpose

To identify Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) components independently associated with changes in planned cancer treatment.

Patients and Methods

We prospectively included 375 consecutive elderly patients with cancer (ELCAPA01 study) assessed by geriatricians using the CGA. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with changes in the cancer treatment (intensification, decrease, or delayed > 2 weeks). Change was defined as a difference between the initial treatment proposal and the final treatment selected in a multidisciplinary meeting.

Results

Mean age was 79.6 years (standard deviation [SD], 5.6 years), and 197 (52.5%) were women. The most common tumor location was the digestive system (58.7%). The mean number of comorbidities was 4.2 (SD, 2.7) per patient, and the mean Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics score was 11.8 (SD, 5.3). After the CGA, the initial cancer treatment plan was modified for 78 (20.8%) of 375 patients (95% CI, 16.8 to 25.3), usually to decrease treatment intensity (63 [80.8%] of 78 patients). By univariate analysis, cancer treatment changes were associated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2 (73.3% in the group with changes v 41.1% in the in the group without changes; P < .001), dependency for one or more activities of daily living (ADL; 59.0% v 24.2%; P < .001), malnutrition (81.8% v 51.2%; P < .001), cognitive impairment (38.5% v 24.9%; P = .023), depression (52.6% v 21.7%; P < .001), and greater number of comorbidities (mean, 4.8 [SD, 2.9] v 4.0 [SD, 2.6]; P = .02). By multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with cancer treatment changes were a lower ADL score (odds ratio [OR], 1.25 per 0.5-point decrease; CI, 1.04 to 1.49; P = .016) and malnutrition (OR, 2.99; CI, 1.36 to 6.58; P = .007).

Conclusion

Functional status assessed by the ADL score and malnutrition were independently associated with changes in cancer treatment.

The treatment of early breast cancer in women over the age of 70

One third of all breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 70 or over. Older women are a heterogeneous population who are under-represented in clinical trials, and as a result uncertainty can exist as to what represents optimal treatment. This minireview, from an international authorship, summarises the existing evidence surrounding the management of early breast cancer in women aged 70 and over. The use of primary surgery and endocrine therapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy and trastuzumab are discussed. Reference is made to ongoing clinical trials in this area and areas of controversy are highlighted.

Cardiovascular complications of breast cancer therapy in older adults

Older adults frequently have pre-existing and cancer-related risk factors for cardiovascular toxicity from cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the risk factors and strategies for prevention and management of cardiovascular complications in older women with breast cancer.

Effect of age and comorbidity on the treatment and survival of older patients with vulvar cancer

OBJECTIVE

To determine the disease characteristics and comorbidities predictive of vulvar cancer specific mortality and five year overall survival among older women, ages 65 and above.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of women diagnosed with vulvar cancer at a single regional cancer center from 1989 to 2003, with a follow up to 2009. Treatment records were extracted for: demographics and treatment information, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and Charlson comorbidity index score. Probability of death from vulvar cancer was estimated using cumulative incidence, treating death by other known and unknown causes as competing risks. Predictors of overall survival were determined using multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-six women were identified, with a median age at diagnosis of 79 years (range 65-95). Median follow up was 5.0 years (range 0.1-16.7 years). The cumulative incidence of vulvar cancer-specific mortality was 13% (95% CI: 0.08-0.19) at year one, 24% (95% CI: 0.17-0.31) at year three and 26% (95% CI: 0.19-0.33) at year five. Use of adjuvant therapy or surgical procedure performed did not differ by age at diagnosis (p=0.807 and 0.663) according to age group (65-74, 74-84 and 85+). Increasing age, Charlson comorbidity index score, lymph node involvement and type of surgery performed were associated with increased risk of death from any cause (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Among women aged ≥65, vulvar cancer specific mortality was most significant in the first three years after diagnosis. Conversely other causes of mortality which can be attributed to comorbid conditions steadily increased with time.

Comorbidity and survival after early breast cancer. A review

INTRODUCTION

Survival after breast cancer is determined by disease related factors such as stage at diagnosis, patient characteristics, e.g., age, and treatment.

AIM

To review evidence published during the last ten years on the effect of comorbidity on survival after early breast cancer.

METHODS

A search in Pubmed with keywords, breast neoplasm, comorbidity, and survival, was performed. A total of 18 studies published between 2000 and August 2010 was included in this review.

RESULTS

All 18 studies demonstrated that comorbidity had a significant impact on survival after breast cancer with poorer survival among patients with one or more comorbid conditions. The effect of comorbidity persisted after adjustment for age at diagnosis and stage of disease. Older patients with comorbidity were less likely to receive therapy according to guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Presence of comorbidity at diagnosis is an important prognostic factor in early breast cancer, irrespective of age and stage of disease.

Lack of survival gain for elderly women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The number of elderly women with breast cancer is increasing and will become a major health concern. However, little is known about the optimal treatment for this age group. The aim of this study was to describe time trends for the overall Dutch breast cancer cohort with an emphasis on differences between young and elderly patients.

METHODS

All adult female patients diagnosed in 1995-2005 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Relative excess risks for death (adjusted for stage, histology, treatment, and grade) were estimated using a multivariate generalized linear model with a Poisson distribution, based on collapsed relative survival data, using exact survival times.

RESULTS

Overall, 127,805 patients were included. Treatment of patients aged ≥75 years changed significantly over time: they received less surgery, more adjuvant hormonal treatment and chemotherapy, and more hormonal treatment without surgery. In contrast to younger patients, the relative survival did not improve significantly over time for elderly patients. With increasing age, the observed-expected death ratio decreased to almost 1.0.

CONCLUSION

Survival for elderly patients with breast cancer did not improve significantly. Observed-expected death ratios in the elderly are close to 1, indicating that excess mortality is low. Elderly patients with breast cancer have a higher risk for overtreatment and undertreatment, with a delicate therapeutic balance between breast cancer survival gain and potential toxicities. To improve breast cancer survival in the elderly, a critical reappraisal is needed of costs and benefits of hormonal as well as other treatments, and better selection of patients who can benefit from available therapies is warranted.

Age-related disparities in the use of radiotherapy for treatment of localized soft tissue sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Many elderly patients with cancer experience increased cancer-related morbidity and mortality compared with younger patients. In soft tissue sarcoma, adjuvant radiotherapy is an integral part of definitive therapy for limb preservation. The authors of this report hypothesized that age-related disparities exist in the use of radiation.

METHODS

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data were used to conduct a retrospective cohort study among patients aged ≥ 25 years who were diagnosed from 1998 to 2004 with nonmetastatic, biopsy-proven, high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and underwent a limb-sparing procedure. Patients were stratified according to age (ages < 50 years, 50-70 years, and > 70 years). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between age and the receipt of radiotherapy adjusting for histology, tumor location, tumor size, surgery, sex, race, and marital status. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare disease-specific and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Among 1354 eligible patients; 37.1% were aged > 70 years, 44.3% were women, and 84.4% were Caucasian. Although 73.8% of the cohort received radiotherapy, receipt decreased from 78.2% among patients aged < 50 years to 69.6% among patients aged >70 years (test for trend; P = .006). After adjusting for demographic and tumor factors, older patients remained less likely to receive radiotherapy (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.92) and more likely to experience disease-specific death (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.1) compared with the youngest group.

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults appeared to be less likely to receive definitive therapy for soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities. In the absence of clinical trials and treatment guidelines tailored to this population, under treatment may disadvantage elderly patients, who have increased cancer-related morbidity and mortality.

A multicenter retrospective study on clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

We performed a multicenter retrospective comparative study to assess the impact of age on potential differences in clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome in HCC patients. Characteristics that distinguish elderly from younger HCC patients include lower M/F ratio, worse performance status, lower rate of HCV infection, and less advanced underlying cirrhosis. Elderly patients were less likely to have a liver transplant and more likely to receive supportive care only. However, overall and HCC-specific survival were similar between the two groups.

Background.

There is a paucity of information on the clinical presentation and outcome of elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. We performed a multicenter retrospective comparative study to assess the impact of age on potential differences in clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome in HCC patients.

Methods.

We retrospectively analyzed HCC patients treated at two U.S. tertiary institutions from 1998 to 2008. Demographics, tumor parameters, etiology and severity of cirrhosis, treatment, and survival from diagnosis were collected and analyzed. After exclusion of transplanted patients, survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results.

Three hundred thirty-five HCC patients were divided into two groups: “elderly” (95 patients, age ≥70 years) and “younger” (240 patients, aged <70 years). The male/female (M/F) ratio was 5.8:1 and 1.7:1 in the younger and elderly groups, respectively (p < .0001). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rate was 48.3% in younger and 21.1% in elderly patients (p < .0001); Child class B and C cirrhosis accounted for 35.8% in younger and 25.3% in elderly patients (p = .063). Compared with younger patients, the elderly received transplant less frequently (19.6% versus 5.3%, p = .0002) and were more likely to receive supportive care only (22.9% versus 36.8%, p = .01). No significant differences between the two age groups were seen in tumor parameters or other treatments received. Overall (p = .47) and HCC-specific survival rates (p = .38) were similar in both age groups.

Conclusions.

Characteristics that distinguish elderly from younger HCC patients include lower M/F ratio, worse performance status, lower rate of HCV infection, and less advanced underlying cirrhosis. Elderly patients were less likely to have a liver transplant and more likely to receive supportive care only. However, overall and HCC-specific survival were similar between the two groups.

Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2010

This review summarizes 11 major clinical research advances in gynecologic oncology in 2010. For ovarian cancer, bevacizumab as a leading molecular targeted agent, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent disease, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in an advanced setting, an effective screening method, and ARID1A mutations as a clue to the origin of clear cell carcinoma are mentioned. For cervical cancer, confirmation of the efficacy and the introduction of a self collection method of the human papillomavirus (HPV) test, and the association between the HPV vaccine and miscarriage are examined. For endometrial cancer, the superiority of laparoscopy in staging operation, the role of vaginal brachytherapy in an adjuvant setting, and the effect of para-aortic lymph node dissection are reviewed. In addition, the trend of geriatric oncology and chemotherapy in carcinosarcomas is also assessed.

Quality of life during the course of cancer treatment in older newly diagnosed patients. Results of a prospective pilot study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this prospective study was to report the quality of life (QoL) of older cancer patients during the first year after diagnosis and factors influencing QoL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Newly diagnosed patients aged ≥65 years were recruited for a pilot prospective cohort study at the Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada. Participants were interviewed at baseline, and at 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, and 12 months. QoL was assessed at each interview using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire with 30 items. Logistic regression was conducted to determine which sociodemographic, health, and functional status characteristics were associated with decline in global health status/QoL between baseline and 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

There were 112 participants at baseline (response rate 72%), median age of 74.1, and 70% were women. Between baseline and 12-month follow-up (n=78), 18 participants (23.1%) declined ≥10 points in global health status/QoL, while 34 participants (43.6%) remained stable and 23 participants (33.3%) improved ≥10 points. None of the sociodemographic, health, and functional status variables were associated with decline in logistic regression analyses.

CONCLUSION

Almost 25% of older adults experienced clinically relevant decline in their QoL. Further research is needed on which factors influence decline in QoL in older adults.

Clinicopathological features and treatment sensitivity of elderly Chinese breast cancer patients

This study aimed to determine the clinicopathological features and treatment sensitivity of elderly breast cancer patients in China. The clinical data of 594 elderly breast cancer patients of 70 or more years of age were collected and compared to those of 657 patients of less than 70 years of age to analyze whether breast cancer in the elderly is different and whether the difference affected outcome. The median age was 75.2 years in the elderly patients and 49.8 years in the young patients. Age of menarche, parous status and body mass index were similar in the two groups. A higher frequency of steroid receptor-positive rate, a lower expression of HER-2 and p53, less axillary node-positive rate and earlier tumor stage were found in patients of 70 years or older. The 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was 77 and 82% in the elderly and 86 and 93% in the young patients, respectively. Patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive or lymph node (LN)-negative cancers showed a more favorable outcome in the elderly patients. RFS and OS were increased in elderly patients who underwent endocrine therapy or omitted chemotherapy. Breast cancer in the elderly had more favorable tumor features, using estrogen receptor and lymph node status as prognostic factors. It was therefore concluded that adjuvant endocrine therapy may benefit elderly patients, while chemotherapy may not.

Age disparity in the dissemination of imatinib for treating chronic myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND

Imatinib is a highly effective treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001 and thereafter rapidly became front-line therapy. This study characterized the prevailing chronic myeloid leukemia therapies in the United States and assessed the impact of imatinib on chronic myeloid leukemia survival and mortality rates in the general population.

METHODS

Investigators with the National Cancer Institute's Patterns of Care study reviewed medical records and queried physicians regarding therapy for 423 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia diagnosed in 2003 who were randomly selected from cancer registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Characteristics associated with the receipt of imatinib were documented, as were survival differences between those who received imatinib and those who did not. Population-based data were used to assess chronic myeloid leukemia survival and mortality rates in time periods before and after the introduction of imatinib.

RESULTS

Imatinib was administered to 76% of patients in the Patterns of Care study. Imatinib use was inversely associated with age: 90%, 75%, and 46% for patients ages 20 to 59 years, 60 to 79 years, and 80 or more years, respectively. Elderly patients who received imatinib survived significantly longer than those who did not. After adjusting for age, imatinib use did not vary significantly by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, urban/rural residence, presence of comorbid conditions, or insurance status. Overall, chronic myeloid leukemia survival in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results population improved, and mortality in the United States declined dramatically during the period when imatinib became widely available; these improvements diminished with increasing age.

CONCLUSION

Age disparities in treatment with imatinib likely contributed to worse survival for many elderly patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

How does older age influence oncologists' cancer management?

BACKGROUND

Over half of new cancer cases occur in patients aged > or = 65 years. Many older patients can benefit from intensive cancer therapies, yet evidence suggests that this population is undertreated.

METHODS

To assess preferences and influential factors in geriatric cancer management, practicing U.S. medical oncologists completed a survey containing four detailed vignettes exploring colon, breast, lung, and prostate cancer treatment. Participants were randomly assigned one of two surveys with vignettes that were identical except for patient age (<65 years or >70 years).

RESULTS

Physicians in each survey group (n = 200) were demographically similar. Intensive therapy was significantly less likely to be recommended for an older than for a younger, but otherwise identical, patient in two of the scenarios. For a woman with metastatic colon cancer (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] score, 1) for whom chemotherapy was recommended, nearly all oncologists chose an intensive regimen if the patient's age was 63; but if her age was 85, one fourth of the oncologists chose a less intensive treatment. Likewise, for stage IIA breast cancer (ECOG score, 0), 93% recommended intensive adjuvant treatment for a previously healthy patient aged 63; but only 66% said they would do so if the patient's age was 75. Oncologists commonly identified patient age as an influence on treatment choice, but were even more likely to cite performance status as a determining factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced age can deter oncologists from choosing intensive cancer therapy, even if patients are highly functional and lack comorbidities. Education on tailoring cancer treatment and a greater use of comprehensive geriatric assessment may reduce cancer undertreatment in the geriatric population.

Breast cancer in elderly compared to younger patients in the Netherlands: stage at diagnosis, treatment and survival in 127,805 unselected patients

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in several parts of the world and the number of elderly patients is increasing. The aim of this study was to describe stage at diagnosis, treatment, and relative survival of elderly patients compared to younger patients in the Netherlands. Adult female patients with their first primary breast cancer diagnosed between 1995 and 2005 were selected. Stage, treatment, and relative survival were described for young and elderly (≥ 65 years) patients and within the cohort of elderly patients according to 5-year age groups. Overall, 127,805 patients were included. Elderly breast cancer patients were diagnosed with a higher stage of disease. Moreover, within the elderly differences in stage were observed. Elderly underwent less surgery (99.2-41.2%); elderly received hormonal treatment as monotherapy more frequently (0.8-47.3%); and less adjuvant systemic treatment (79-53%). Elderly breast cancer patients with breast cancer had a decreased relative survival. Although relative survival was lower in the elderly, the percentage of patients who die of their breast cancer less than 50% above age 75. In conclusion, the relative survival for the elderly is lower as compared to their younger counterparts while the percentage of deaths due to other causes increases with age. This could indicate that the patient selection is poor and fit patients could suffer from "under treatment". In the future, specific geriatric screening tools are necessary to identify fit elderly patients who could receive more "aggressive" treatment while best supportive care should be given to frail elderly patients.

When cancer in older adults is undermanaged: the breast cancer story

Age is the most important risk factor for breast cancer; age is also a risk factor for undermanagement of breast cancer. One thousand eight hundred fifty-nine women aged 65 and older with early-stage breast cancer were studied, and it was found that undermanagement is a risk factor for recurrence and for dying of breast cancer. Although conservative treatment is probably warranted in patients with tumors having excellent prognostic characteristics and in women with limited life expectancies, standard treatment is needed for the majority of older women if the disproportionate burden of breast cancer in this age group is to be reduced. Better strategies are needed for identifying those most likely to benefit from standard treatment and from systematic surveillance for recurrence. In this regard, collaboration between oncologists and primary care physicians is essential for achieving high-quality care and outcomes in this vulnerable group of patients.

Are GPs under-investigating older patients presenting with symptoms of ovarian cancer? Observational study using General Practice Research Database

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that older patients in the United Kingdom are not benefiting as much from improvements in cancer treatments as their younger counterparts. We investigate whether this might be partly due to differential referral rates using ovarian cancer as an example.

METHODS

From the General Practice Research Database (GPRD), we identified all women aged 40-80 years on 1 June 2002 with a Read code for ovarian cancer between 1 June 2002 and 31 May 2007. Using these records, we compared the GPRD incidence of ovarian cancer with rates compiled from the UK cancer registries and investigated the relationship between age and coded investigations for suspected ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

The GPRD rates peaked earlier, at 70-74, and were lower than registry rates for nearly all ages particularly for patients over 59. The proportion investigated or referred by the GP decreased significantly with age and delays between first coded symptom and investigation showed a U-shaped distribution by age.

CONCLUSIONS

GPs appear to be less likely to recognise and to refer patients presenting with ovarian cancer as they get older. If our findings extend to other cancers, lack of or delays in referral to secondary care may partly explain poor UK cancer mortality rates of older people.

Management of operable invasive breast cancer in women over the age of 70: long-term results of a large-scale single-institution experience

BACKGROUND

The treatment of choice for elderly women with breast cancer remains controversial. This retrospective analysis of a cohort from a single institution was designed to evaluate whether such patients are really undertreated because of their age and to reappraise their usual management.

METHODS

The characteristics of 538 patients aged > or = 70 years with operable breast cancer, treated between 1995 and 1999, were retrospectively analyzed comparing patients aged 70 to 75 years (group I, n = 288), 75 to 80 years (group II, n = 156), and > or = 80 years (group III, n = 94). Cause-specific survival, distant recurrence-free interval, and local control were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log rank test. Multivariate analysis used Cox regression.

RESULTS

In group III, tumors were more frequently T2 than T1 (P < 0.0001) and estrogen receptor negative (P = 0.045) than in groups I and II. Surgery was performed in 94.6% of patients, breast-conserving in 72.1% (62% in group III; P = 0.0015) with axillary dissection in 89.2% (77% in group III; P = 0.0015); 100% received radiotherapy after lumpectomy (hypofractionated in 63% of group III; P < 0.0001). Adjuvant hormone therapy and chemotherapy were administered to 57 and 3.7% of patients, respectively. At 7 years, no difference in the three groups was observed for cause-specific survival (91% for group I, 89% for group II, 86% for group III) distant recurrence-free interval, and local control (>90%).

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with operable breast cancer who are completely and correctly treated with realistic treatment options that are based on surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy have a similar chance of being cured as younger patients.

Older breast cancer survivors: geriatric assessment domains are associated with poor tolerance of treatment adverse effects and predict mortality over 7 years of follow-up

PURPOSE

To evaluate geriatric assessment (GA) domains in relation to clinically important outcomes in older breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

Six hundred sixty women diagnosed with primary breast cancer in four US geographic regions (Los Angeles, CA; Minnesota; North Carolina; and Rhode Island) were selected with disease stage I to IIIA, age >or= 65 years at date of diagnosis, and permission from attending physician to contact. Data were collected over 7 years of follow-up from consenting patients' medical records, telephone interviews, physician questionnaires, and the National Death Index. Outcomes included self-reported treatment tolerance and all-cause mortality. Four GA domains were described by six individual measures, as follows: sociodemographic by adequate finances; clinical by Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and body mass index; function by number of physical function limitations; and psychosocial by the five-item Mental Health Index (MHI5) and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS). Associations were evaluated using t tests, chi(2) tests, and regression analyses.

RESULTS

In multivariable regression including age and stage, three measures from two domains (clinical and psychosocial) were associated with poor treatment tolerance; these were CCI >or= 1 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49; 95% CI, 1.18 to 5.25), MHI5 score less than 80 (OR = 2.36; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.86), and MOS-SSS score less than 80 (OR = 3.32; 95% CI, 1.44 to 7.66). Four measures representing all four GA domains predicted mortality; these were inadequate finances (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.88; CCI >or= 1 (HR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.88), functional limitation (HR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.93), and MHI5 score less than 80 (HR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.85). In addition, the proportion of women with these outcomes incrementally increased as the number of GA deficits increased.

CONCLUSION

This study provides longitudinal evidence that GA domains are associated with poor treatment tolerance and predict mortality at 7 years of follow-up, independent of age and stage of disease.

Older women, breast cancer, and social support

Introduction

One in ten women over the age of 65 will develop breast cancer. Despite this high incidence of breast cancer among older women, social support for them is often inadequate. This paper describes a qualitative study of the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on older women from racially/ethnically diverse populations and their subsequent need for social support.

Methods

Forty-seven older African American, Asian American, Caucasian and Latina women between the ages of 65 to 83 participated in a larger study examining the impact of breast cancer on women from racially/ethnically diverse populations and the meaning and nature of social support. The women completed an in-depth qualitative interview on the psychosocial impact of breast cancer and the meaning and nature of social support.

Results and Conclusion

The results indicate that there are variations in reactions to a breast cancer diagnosis among older women, and that these reactions impact their experiences with seeking social support at diagnosis and during treatment. Respondents were concerned about their aging bodies, potential dependency on others, and loss of autonomy. At the same time, the severity of cancer treatment and existing co-morbidities often meant they needed to learn to receive support, and to reach out if they had no support. The implications of these findings underscore the older cancer patient’s need to strengthen her supportive networks at the time of diagnosis, during treatment, and post-treatment.

Age and depression in patients with metastatic cancer: the protective effects of attachment security and spiritual wellbeing

Psychological distress in cancer patients is inversely related to age, although the reasons are unclear. The adult development literature suggests that ageing may be associated with the development of adaptive capacities, specifically greater attachment security (the sense that others will be available and supportive when needed) and spirituality (the capacity to view one's life as having meaning, purpose and value), that enable older people to cope better with disease. We examined whether age-related patterns in attachment security and spiritual wellbeing account for the protective effect of age against distress. Measures of depression, attachment security, spiritual wellbeing and disease burden were collected from 342 patients aged from 21 to 88 years with advanced, metastatic cancer. Attachment security and spiritual wellbeing were tested as mediators of the effect of age on depression, controlling for disease burden. It was found that age was associated inversely with depression and positively with spiritual wellbeing and attachment security. Depression was inversely related to attachment security and spiritual wellbeing, and the effect of age on depression was fully mediated by attachment security and spiritual wellbeing. The relative protection from psychological distress among older cancer patients may be the result of age-related developmental accomplishments and/or differences in the response to adverse life-events.