Nutritional aspects of the cancer/aging interface

Cancer-Related Malnutrition: Epidemiological Results from the Latin American Study of Malnutrition in the Oncology Practice

Malnutrition can affect the patient diagnosed with, and treated for, cancer. However, until a dedicated study is completed, estimates of malnutrition rates will be disparate and unrepresentative of cancer patients' nutritional reality. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among patients being cared for cancer in Latin American (LATAM) hospitals by means of a multicenter, multinational study. Methods: The Latin American Study of Malnutrition in Oncology (LASOMO) was completed with 1,842 patients (Women: 56.2%; Age ≥ 60 years: 43.2%; Chemotherapy: 55.1%; Radiotherapy: 17.8%; Surgery: 27.1%) assisted at 52 health centers from 10 LATAM countries. Malnutrition prevalence was estimated from the (B + C) scores assigned to the patient with the Subjective Global Assessment by Detsky et al. (1987). Malnutrition prevalence was distributed regarding the demographic features of the patient, the primary tumor location, and the current cytoreducing treatment. Results: Malnutrition affected 59.1% of the surveyed patients. Malnutrition prevalence was higher among male patients and those with tumors of the digestive tract and the hemolymphopoietic system. Malnutrition was also associated with the current cytoreducing modality, with chemotherapy returning the highest prevalence. Conclusions: Malnutrition can be present in more than half of the patients being cared for cancer in LATAM health centers.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2021.2014902.

General recommendations paper on the management of older patients with cancer: the SEOM geriatric oncology task force's position statement

Population aging is associated with greater numbers of older people with cancer. Thanks to treatment advances, not only are more seniors diagnosed with cancer, but there are also more and more older cancer survivors. This upward trend will continue. Given the heterogeneity of aging, managing older patients with cancer poses a significant challenge for Medical Oncology. In Spain, a Geriatric Oncology Task Force has been set up within the framework of the Spanish Society for Medical Oncology (SEOM). With the aim of generating evidence and raising awareness, as well as helping medical oncologists in their training with respect to seniors with cancer, we have put together a series of basic management recommendations for this population. Many of the patients who are assessed in routine clinical practice in Oncology are older. CGA is the basic tool by means of which to evaluate older people with cancer and to understand their needs. Training and the correct use of recommendations regarding treatment for comorbidities and geriatric syndromes, support care, and drug–drug interactions and toxicities, including those of antineoplastic agents, as detailed in this article, will ensure that this population is properly managed.

Depressão, déficit cognitivo e fatores associados à desnutrição em idosos com câncer

Objetiva-se analisar a presença de depressão, a função cognitiva, o estado nutricional e os fatores associados à desnutrição em idosos em tratamento para o câncer. Foi realizado um estudo transversal em um centro oncológico em Minas Gerais que incluiu a aplicação de um questionário sociodemográfico e de saúde, a avaliação de sintomas depressivos, da função cognitiva e do estado nutricional. Foram avaliados 96 idosos, 50% do sexo feminino e com idade média de 70,6 anos. O déficit cognitivo foi identificado em 39,6% e a presença de depressão em 17,7% dos avaliados, com um maior número de sintomas depressivos sexo feminino (p = 0,017). Foi diagnosticada desnutrição moderada ou suspeita de desnutrição em 29,2% dos avaliados, desnutrição grave em 14,6% e 47,9% apresentou necessidade de intervenção nutricional crítica. Na análise multivariada foram condições independentemente associadas à desnutrição o déficit funcional (RP: 3,40; IC: 1,23-9,45), a presença de dois ou mais sintomas de impacto nutricional (RP: 3,22; IC: 1,03-10,10) e o tratamento atual por quimioterapia (RP: 2,96; IC: 1,16-7,56). Idosos com câncer apresentaram elevada prevalência de desnutrição e de necessidade de intervenção nutricional. A avaliação da depressão e do déficit cognitivo também devem ser partes integrantes na abordagem deste grupo.