A systematic review on the association of the G8 with geriatric assessment, prognosis and course of treatment in older patients with cancer

Effect of comprehensive geriatric assessment on hospitalizations in older adults with frailty initiating curatively intended oncologic treatment: The PROGNOSIS-RCT study

INTRODUCTION

Frailty constitutes a risk for unplanned hospitalizations in older adults with cancer. This study examines whether comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) as an add-on to standard oncologic care can prevent unplanned hospitalizations in older adults with frailty and cancer who initiate curative oncological treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included older adults aged ≥70 with frailty (Geriatric 8 [G8] ≤14), and solid cancers who initiated curative oncological treatment. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either standard oncologic care (control) or standard oncologic care supplemented with CGA-guided interventions (intervention). Baseline characteristics were retrieved prior to randomization. The primary endpoint, the between-group rate ratio of unplanned hospitalizations within six months of treatment initiation, was analyzed using negative binominal regression. Analyses were performed using an intention-to-treat approach, followed by per-protocol analysis, including participants receiving CGA within 30 days of randomization, and preplanned subgroup analyses based on treatment modality and Geriatric 8 screening. Secondary endpoints included acute hospital contacts, treatment adherence, and toxicity.

RESULTS

From November 1, 2020 to May 31, 2023, 173 participants were enrolled. Median age was 75 (interquartile range 72-79), 51.5% were female, 58% had a G8 score > 12, and 84% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1. The most common cancer sites were lung (23%), upper gastrointestinal (15%), and breast (13%). The rate (per person-years) of unplanned hospitalization was 1.32 in the intervention group and 1.81 in the control group, with a between-group rate ratio of 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45-1.23, P = 0.25) favoring the intervention. The between-group rate ratio increased in the per-protocol analysis (0.64 [95% CI 0.37-1.10, P = 0.10]). Similarly, no significant between group differences were found in treatment adherence, rate of acute hospital contacts, or toxicity.

DISCUSSION

In this study, CGA did not significantly reduce the rate of unplanned hospitalizations. Furthermore, no between-group differences were found in treatment adherence, toxicity lead hospitalizations, or treatment completion in older adults with cancer and frailty. However, per-protocol analysis suggests that increasing adherence to CGA may improve the outcome. Larger studies ensuring higher CGA adherence are warranted to confirm our findings.

Physical decline, falls, and hospitalization among vulnerable older patients in the trajectory of colorectal cancer treatment

INTRODUCTION

Resilience to anticancer treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) among older patients varies. Many experience weight loss, physical decline, falls, and hospitalization during treatment, often leading to early discontinuation of otherwise effective chemotherapy. Screening for vulnerability might help to identify patients at risk of these adverse outcomes in older adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a secondary analysis from the GERICO trial. Patients aged ≥70 years assessed for chemotherapy for CRC were screened for eligibility for the GERICO trial with the geriatric-8 (G8) frailty screening tool. The present study population comprised patients who were (1) screened with G8 but for reasons not included in the GERICO study and (2) patients who were randomized to the GERICO control group. We evaluated whether patients identified as vulnerable with G8 (≤14/17) or retrospectively constructed mG8 (≥6/35) had higher risk of experiencing decline in performance status (PS), falls, and unplanned hospitalization during treatment. The association between frailty status and the adverse outcomes was analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The discriminative ability of G8/mG8 to predict outcomes was analyzed using the area under the curve for receiver operating characteristics curves.

RESULTS

In total, 238 patients (median age 74 years [range 70-91]) were included in this analysis. More vulnerable than fit patients experienced decline in PS (G8: 41% vs. 14%, p = 0.006 and mG8: 28% vs. 17%, p = 0.04) during treatment. Furthermore, more vulnerable than fit patients experienced falls (G8 14% vs. 6% p = 0.04) and unplanned hospitalization (G8: 31% vs. 14%, p = 0.009 and mG8: 34% vs. 13%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed an association between G8 vulnerability and decline in PS, falls, and hospitalization.

DISCUSSION

Patients with G8 or mG8 vulnerability were more likely to experience decline in PS and unplanned hospitalization during chemotherapy for CRC than fit patients. More G8 vulnerable patients experienced falls compared with fit patients. Appropriate interventions should be offered to older patients with CRC assessed as vulnerable with G8 or mG8 to maintain PS during chemotherapy.

[Older patients and injectable anticancer drug: Feasibility study of the implementation of pharmaceutical interviews in oncogeriatrics in a hospital center]

INTRODUCTION

In our establishment, pharmaceutical interviews in oncogeriatrics have been developed to reduce drug iatrogenesis. The target patients were older patients (≥65years) with polypharmacy and/or identified at risk of frailty (G8≤14), starting an injectable cancer protocol.

METHODS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing pharmaceutical interviews in oncogeriatrics over a period of six months.

RESULTS

In total, 30 patients benefited from a pharmaceutical interview in oncogeriatrics (median age 76 years; 21 patients with G8≤14). Two-thirds of the patients met other interveners during patient care, 4 of whom after referral by the pharmacist. As for medication reviews: 93% of patients required pharmaceutical intervention (average of 3.5 per patient). The majority proposed therapeutic follow-ups and discontinuations of treatment. According to their evaluation by a pharmacist/oncologist pair, 97% of pharmaceutical interventions would have a positive clinical impact, of which 13 % a major clinical impact. The main drug classes concerned by the pharmaceutical interventions were analgesics, drugs used in diabetes and psycholeptics. Among the four pharmaceutical interventions with major clinical impact, nine proposed the optimization of analgesic treatment.

DISCUSSION

The implementation of these interviews allowed us to initiate the creation of a care pathway dedicated to older patients identified as fragile. The pharmaceutical care offered appear to provide added value in the care of these patients. Organizational changes are necessary to promote multidisciplinarity and improve our practices in oncogeriatrics.

The significance of G8 and other geriatric assessments in urologic cancer management: A comprehensive review

In urologic oncology, which often involves older patients, it is important to consider how to manage their care appropriately. Geriatric assessment (GA) is a method that can address the specific needs of older cancer patients. The GA encompasses various assessment domains, but these domains exhibit variations across the literature. Some of the common items include functional ability, nutrition, comorbidities, cognitive ability, psychosocial disorders, polypharmacy, social and financial support, falls/imbalance, and vision/hearing. Despite the diversity of domains, there is limited consensus on reliable measurement methods. This review discusses the role of GA in managing urologic cancer in unique scenarios, such as those necessitating temporary or permanent urinary catheters or stomas due to urinary diversion. A comprehensive GA is time and human-resource-intensive in real-world clinical practice. Hence, simpler tools such as the Geriatric-8 (G8), capable of identifying high-risk patients requiring a detailed GA, are also under investigation in various contexts. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review on the G8. Our findings indicate that patients with low G8 scores encounter difficulties with stoma self-care after urinary diversion and have higher risks of urinary tract infections and ileus after radical cystectomy. The utilization of G8 as a screening tool for urologic cancer patients may facilitate the delivery of appropriate and personalized treatment and care.

Prognostic value of Geriatric-8 for adverse outcomes within 30 days of surgery in older adults with colorectal cancer: A retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether the Geriatric-8 (G8) has the accuracy to preselect patients for complete geriatric assessment, and has the ability to predict adverse outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We therefore aimed to determine whether the G8, or other variables present in the medical record, are applicable in predicting 30-day adverse outcomes in older patients undergoing surgery for CRC.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study involving patients ≥70 years who had surgery for CRC between 2018 and 2020 in a general hospital in the Netherlands. The primary outcome was adverse outcome(s), which is a composite of surgical and non-surgical complications, readmission and mortality, all within 30 days of surgery. The secondary endpoints were the individual components, such as delirium, infection and ileus. We explored potential prognostic factors using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Data were collected from the Dutch ColoRectal Audit (DRCA) and medical records.

RESULTS

The study included 200 patients (mean age 78.9 years: 50% female), with 36.5% having adverse outcomes in the first 30 days of surgery. In neither univariate nor multivariable analysis were G8 scores associated with adverse outcomes. Factors with higher odds of adverse outcomes were male gender, and having cognitive decline or previous delirium.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that G8 scores have no prognostic value for adverse outcomes, complications and mortality within 30 days of surgery among older adults with CRC. Therefore, the G8 should not be the tool for short-term risk prediction of adverse outcomes in these patients.

Immunotherapy use in older adults with cancer with frailty: A young SIOG review paper

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) became a treatment option in most tumor types and improved survival in patients with cancer in the last decade. Older patients with cancer are underrepresented in the pivotal clinical trials with ICIs. Older patients with cancer often have significant comorbidities and geriatric syndromes like frailty, which can complicate cancer care and treatment decisions. Frailty is among the most prevalent geriatric syndromes in patients with cancer and could lead to inferior survival and a higher risk of complications in patients treated with chemotherapy. However, the effect of frailty on the efficacy and safety of ICIs is understudied. This review focuses on the available evidence regarding the association between frailty and ICI efficacy and safety. Although the survival benefits of ICIs have generally been shown to be independent of age, the available real-world data has generally suggested higher rates of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and treatment discontinuation in older patients. While international organizations recommend conducting a comprehensive geriatric assessment CGA to assess and address frailty before the start of anti-cancer therapies, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 2 or higher is frequently used in clinical practice as synonymous with frailty, albeit with significant limitations. The available data has generally demonstrated diminished ICI efficacy in patients with an ECOG 2 or higher compared to patients with better performance status, while the incidence of high-grade irAEs were similar. Whilst evidence regarding outcomes with ICI in older patients and in those with sub-optimal performance status is growing, there is very limited data specifically evaluating the role of frailty with ICIs. These studies found a shortened overall survival, yet no evidence of a lower response rate to ICIs. These patients experienced more AEs, but they did not necessarily have a higher incidence of irAEs.

Comparing Preoperative Screening Tools for Elective Urologic Cancer Surgery: Insights from a Cluster Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the features and benefits of different geriatric screening tools for enhancing the perioperative care of patients who undergo elective cancer surgery using cluster analysis.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective, observational analysis of 1,019 consecutive patients who had elective major cancer surgery in the urology department of our hospital from October 2019 to January 2023. Before the surgery, a trained nurse screened the patients using six tools: Eastern Clinical Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), flemish version of the triage risk screening tool (fTRST), geriatric-8 (G8), instrumental activities of daily living, patient health questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and simple questionnaire to rapidly diagnose sarcopenia (SARC-F). The study grouped the patients into four clusters based on their scores on these tools and compared their outcomes after the surgery. The outcomes included overall survival, ambulation failure, delirium, and severe complications. The study also examined how each screening tool was associated with the outcomes.

RESULTS

Based on their clinical data and screening results, we classified the patients into four groups: Healthy (73%), Depressive (11%), Intermediate (11%), and Unhealthy (5%). The Unhealthy group had the worst outcomes in overall survival (OS), ambulation failure, and delirium, followed by the Intermediate group. In addition, fTRST and SARC-F emerged as significant predictors of OS; ECOG-PS, fTRST, G8, and SARC-F of ambulation failure; ECOG-PS, fTRST, and G8 of delirium; and G8 of severe complications.

CONCLUSION

Various geriatric screening tools were found to have the potential to forecast diverse postoperative outcomes.

An exploratory study on the heterogeneity of postoperative delirium: Preoperative cognitive screening does not detect hallucinatory delirium risk

INTRODUCTION

This study compared the clinical characteristics of patients who had hallucinations and those who did not during delirium after elective cancer surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively observed 1137 consecutive patients who had preoperative screening by a trained nurse before elective major urologic cancer surgery in our department. We compared the patient characteristics, including mini-cognitive assessment instrument (Mini-Cog) and Geriatric-8 (G8) scores, between those who developed postoperative delirium and those who did not, and also between those who had hallucinations and those who did not during delirium.

RESULTS

Out of 1137 patients, 68 developed postoperative delirium, and 12 of them had hallucinations. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the G8 and Mini-Cog scores divided the patients into two groups: one with high G8 and cognitive function (36 patients) and one with low G8 and cognitive function (32 patients). Hallucinations during delirium were more frequent in the high G8 and cognitive function group (11 out of 36 patients) than in the low G8 and cognitive function group (one out of 32 patients). Patients who had hallucinations during delirium also had higher preoperative Mini-Cog scores (P = 0.002) and G8 scores (P = 0.03) than those who did not, indicating better cognitive function and less frailty.

DISCUSSIONS

We identified a patient population that is prone to hallucinations that preoperative screening tools cannot detect. This suggests the heterogeneity of postoperative delirium and the need for further research.

Assessing frailty in older Indian patients before cancer treatment: Comparative analysis of three scales and their implications for overall survival

INTRODUCTION

Frailty, characterized by ageing-related vulnerability, influences outcomes in older adults. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between frailty and clinical outcomes in older Indian patients with cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our observational single-centre study, conducted at Tata Memorial Hospital from February 2020 to July 2022, enrolled participants aged 60 years and above with cancer. Frailty was assessed using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), G8, and Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES)-13. The primary objective was to explore the correlation between baseline frailty and overall survival. Statistical analyses include Kaplan-Meier, Cox proportional hazards, and Harrell's C test.

RESULTS

A total of 1,177 patients (median age 68, 76.9% male) were evaluated in the geriatric oncology clinic. Common malignancies included lung (40.0%), gastrointestinal (35.8%), urological (11.9%), and head and neck (9.0%), with 56.5% having metastatic disease. Using CFS, G8, and VES-13 scales, 28.5%, 86.4%, and 38.0% were identified as frail, respectively. Median follow-up was 11.6 months, with 43.3% deaths. Patients fit on CFS (CFS 1-2) had a median survival of 28.02 months, pre-frail (CFS 3-4) 13.24 months, and frail (CFS ≥5) 7.79 months (p < 0.001). Abnormal G8 (≤14) and VES-13 (≥3) were associated with significantly lower median survival (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed CFS's predictive power for mortality (p < 0.001), with hazard ratios [HRs] for pre-frail at 1.61(95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 to 2.06) and frail at 2.31 (95%CI 1.74 to 3.05). G8 ≤ 14 had HR 2.00 (95%CI 1.42 to 2.83), and abnormal VES-13 had HR 1.36 (95%CI 1.11-1.67). In the likelihood ratio test, CFS significantly improved the model fit (p < 0.001). Harrell's C index for survival prediction was 0.62 for CFS, 0.54 for G8, and 0.58 for VES-13.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion, our study highlights varying frailty prevalence and prognostic implications in older Indian patients with cancer, emphasizing the need for personalized care in oncology for this aging population. We would recommend using CFS as a tool to screen for frailty for older Indian patients with cancer.

Development of geriatric oncology in Latin America: A report from the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group

Population aging represents a critical issue for global cancer care, notably in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Latin America is a large region composed of 21 countries with notable diversity in both human development and access to quality healthcare. Thus, it is necessary to understand how care for older individuals is being delivered in such large and diverse regions of the world. This review describes the recent advances made in Mexico, Brazil, and Chile, focusing on the creation and implementation of educational, research, and clinical activities in geriatric oncology. These initiatives intend to change healthcare professionals' perceptions about the care for older adults and to improve the way older patients are being treated.

Predictive value of the G8 screening tool for postoperative complications in older adults undergoing cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Older adults with cancer who are being considered for cancer surgery are heterogenous, with variation in their physical, mental, and social baselines and risk of postoperative complications. Due in part to the complex nature of this population, the optimal preoperative evaluation method is not clearly defined. In this study we investigated whether geriatric-8 (G8), a screening tool for older patients with cancer that determines the need for a full geriatric assessment, is suitable for assessing the risk of postoperative complications in this population being considered for surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studies that enrolled older patients undergoing cancer surgery and compared prevalence of postoperative complications in G8 "high" (≥15) patients and G8 "low" (<15) patients were identified using PubMed and EMBASE. A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the risk ratio of postoperative complication rate. Postoperative mortality was systematically reviewed.

RESULTS

Eleven studies published between 2017 and 2022 were included in our analysis with a total of 2,691 older patients who underwent various types of cancer surgery and were characterized by their G8 scores: 1,255 G8 high (≥15) patients and 1,436 G8 low (<15) patients. G8 low patients had a significantly higher prevalence of postoperative complications than G8 high patients (risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.56 [1.18-2.07], p = 0.002, I2 = 79%).

DISCUSSION

G8 can be an effective and efficient preoperative tool to assess risk of postoperative complications in older adults undergoing cancer surgery and identify potential need for further evaluation of an individual's risk with a comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Exercise interventions for frail older adults with cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Frailty is prevalent in older adults with cancer and can lead to complications during cancer treatment and poor health outcomes. Exercise has been shown to be a promising strategy to mitigate frailty and slow the accumulation of functional impairment in the general geriatric population. In this review, we present a discussion on the state of the science of exercise interventions for frail older adults with cancer. This review is timely and relevant given the aging of the population and corresponding increase in proportion of older adults living with cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Existing research related to exercise interventions for frail older adults with cancer appear to show some promise in feasibility and efficacy in both surgical and systemic treatment settings.

SUMMARY

More research on this topic and testing rigorously structured exercise interventions for older adults with cancer may help inform cancer-specific guidelines and create a foundation of evidence to enable implementation of exercise interventions. These interventions can support cancer care to attenuate frailty-related outcomes while extending its benefit to overall health of this population.

Housework participation and mortality in Japanese male patients undergoing cancer surgery: A propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

Participation in housework and meal preparation are instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) evaluation items that is known to predict prognosis and complications in cancer care. However, these items are often assessed only for females, not for males, in IADL.

METHODS

We examined the impact of habit of housework and meal preparation on overall survival (OS) in 1025 Japanese male patients who underwent elective urologic cancer surgery at our institution. The study also used a cohort that was matched by propensity score.

RESULTS

We found that patients who did not prepare meals or do housework had significantly shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.34, P = 0.005; HR = 5.01, P < 0.001, respectively). Even in the cohort of 448 patients matched by propensity score and adjusted for age, body mass index, comorbidities, performance status, living status, cancer type, stage groups of cancer, and surgical approach, lack of participation in housework was associated with shorter OS (HR = 2.92, P = 0.04) and was an independent predictor of worse OS in multivariable analysis (HR = 5.13, P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Males who did not regularly do household chores before elective cancer surgery had worse life outcomes. Doing more daily physical activities, such as household chores like making the bed and cleaning the room, might have a positive impact on survival when fighting cancer.

Quality of Decision Making in Radiation Oncology

High-quality decision making in radiation oncology requires the careful consideration of multiple factors. In addition to the evidence-based indications for curative or palliative radiotherapy, this article explores how, in routine clinical practice, we also need to account for many other factors when making high-quality decisions. Foremost are patient-related factors, including preference, and the complex interplay between age, frailty and comorbidities, especially with an ageing cancer population. Whilst clinical practice guidelines inform our decisions, we need to account for their applicability in different patient groups and different resource settings. With particular reference to curative-intent radiotherapy, we explore decisions regarding dose fractionation schedules, use of newer radiotherapy technologies and multimodality treatment considerations that contribute to personalised patient-centred care.

Pilot study of the implementation of G8 screening tool, Cognitive screening assessment and Chemotherapy Toxicity assessment in older adults with cancer in a Tertiary University Hospital in Ireland

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is recommended by international guidelines prior to initiation of systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT). In practice, CGA is limited by time constraints, lack of resources and expert interpretation.

AIMS

The primary objective of this pilot study was to establish the prevalence of frailty (assessed by G8), cognitive impairment (assessed by Mini-Cog), and risk of chemotherapy toxicity (assessed by CARG Chemo-Toxicity Calculator) among patients (pts) ≥65 years commencing SACT. We selected these three screening tools due to the ease of conducting them in a busy outpatient setting. In addition, they have been validated to predict frailty and risk of toxicity from SACT among older adults with cancer.

METHODS

Eligible participants were identified from medical oncology clinics. Assessments were conducted in an outpatient setting by treating physicians. Pt records were reviewed to gather demographic and cancer details. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS statistical software.

RESULTS

Sixty-three participants were enrolled. The mean age of participants was 73yrs (range=65-88). Thirty-three (52.4%) were female and 30 (47.6%) were male. The majority (n=38, 60.3%) had metastatic cancer. The mean G8 score was 11.9 (range=6-19). Eighty-three percent had a G8 score ≤14. Mini-Cog was positive in 13 pts (21%). The mean CARG score was 7.5 (range=0-16), and 80% had a risk of at least 50% grade ≥3 toxicity. Of these, 48 (76.2%) received chemotherapy and 15 (23.8%) received non-cytotoxic SACT. In multi-variate analyses, age, cancer type, treatment type, and disease stage did not impact G8, Mini-Cog, or CARG scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has several limitations but suggests that the majority of older adults with cancer would qualify for formal CGA assessment. The risk of high-grade toxicity from SACT is substantial in this cohort. Chronological age was not found to negatively impact pts' frailty, cognition, or risk of toxicity.

Geriatric factors associated with overall survival in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Advanced age in patients with colorectal cancer is a factor of poor prognosis, but little is known about geriatric factors associated with survival and chemotherapy prescription in frail elderly patients. Our research sought to investigate these factors in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

patients aged ≥75 years, who were treated for mCRC and have had a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) due to their frailty, were included in this multicenter practice study in the Loire Valley region (France). With initial patient care for mCRC as the starting point, demographic, oncological, geriatric and survival data were collected from the regional cancer database and the medical record of each patient. We analyzed overall survival and chemotherapy prescription, according to the geriatric factors of the CGA.

RESULTS

108 patients were enrolled (mean age 84.0 +/- 4.5 years; 57.4 % men), among whom 53 (49 %) received at least one line of chemotherapy. The median overall survival [95 %CI] was 8.05 [5.6-12.0] months. In univariate analysis, prescription of chemotherapy was associated with the number of severe co-morbidities, number of co-medications, G8 score, BMI, MMSE score, IADL and ADL scores, Lee index and Balducci criteria. Survival was significantly associated with chemotherapy, ADL and IADL scores, G8 score, repeated falls, number of severe co-morbidities, MMSE score, Lee index and Balducci criteria. In multivariate analysis, only the ADL score (HR [95 %CI]: 0.74 [0.55-0.99], p = 0.04), number of severe co-morbidities (HR [95 %CI]: 1.62 [1.06-2.47], p = 0.03) and repeated falls (HR [95 %CI]: 3.54 [1.70-7.39], p < 0.001) were significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

in frail elderly patients with mCRC, dependency, co-morbidities and repeated falls are independent factors associated with survival. As such, there could be merit in taking these into consideration before the choice of oncological treatment is made.

[Frailty: Concept and Diagnosis]

Frailty increases the older adult's vulnerability to suffer adverse health outcomes. To date, no gold standard for the diagnosis of frailty exists. This article provides an overview of the most relevant frailty instruments and their scope of application.

Effects of comprehensive geriatric assessment-guided interventions on physical performance and quality of life in older patients with advanced cancer: A randomized controlled trial (PROGNOSIS-RCT)

INTRODUCTION

Older patients with frailty starting oncological treatment are at higher risk of experiencing declining physical performance, loss of independence, and quality of life (QoL). This study examines whether comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)-guided interventions added to standard oncological care can prevent declining physical performance and QoL in older patients with frailty initiating palliative treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≥70 years, with a Geriatric-8 score of ≤14, initiating palliative oncological treatment were enrolled in an open label randomized controlled trial and randomized 1:1 to receive either CGA-guided interventions in addition to oncological standard care or oncological care alone. Baseline characteristics, physical performance measures, and QoL questionnaires were retrieved before group allocation. CGA was performed using a fixed set of domains and validated tests by a geriatrician-led team. The primary endpoint, physical performance, was measured by the 30-s chair stand test (30s-CST) at three months. Additional outcomes included 30s-CST at six months, handgrip strength test, and QoL. Outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed regression models. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.org (NCT04686851).

RESULTS

From November 1, 2020 to May 31, 2022, 181 patients were included; 88 in the interventional arm and 93 in the control arm. Median age was 77 (interquartile range [IQR] 73-81) years, 69% were male, median Geriatric-8 score was 12 (IQR 10-13), 69% had a Performance Status of 0-1, and the median 30s-CST was 9 (IQR 5-11) repetitions. The between-group difference in 30s-CST at three months was 0.67 (95%CI: -0.94 - 2.29) and 1.57 (95%CI: -0.20 - 3.34) at six months, which were not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis including participants with a baseline Geriatric-8 of 12-14 found borderline significant between-group differences in 30s-CST scores at three and six months of 2.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.07 - 4.2, P = 0.06) and 2.25 (95%CI: 0.01-4.5, P = 0.05), respectively. No within-group or between-group differences in the summary score or the Elderly Functional Index score (measuring QoL) were found.

DISCUSSION

This study did not find significant between-group differences in the 30s-CST in older patients receiving palliative care. However, a tendency towards improved physical performance was seen in the least frail. These patients may represent a target group wherein CGA interventions provide particular benefit.

The Impact of Radiotherapy on Frailty in Patients Aged 65 and Over

Introduction and objective Frailty is characterized by the body's increased susceptibility to stressors due to aging and a concurrent decline in its resilience. A dominant hypothesis suggests that oncological interventions may amplify this vulnerability. Consequently, elderly individuals with cancer may pose challenges for conventional treatments. This research sought to assess the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on the frailty of elderly cancer patients by utilizing the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS). Methods This research was designed as a prospective observational study. Patients aged 65 and older, receiving treatment at the radiation oncology clinic, were asked to complete the EFS form both before and at the end of their RT course. The scores achieved before and after the RT were obtained, and the medical histories of the patients were recorded. The difference between the pre- and post-RT scores was calculated by subtracting the post-RT score from the pre-RT score to determine any increase or decrease in the score. For the statistical evaluations, a suite of tests (including the Shapiro-Wilk test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, paired sample t-test, independent t-tests, analysis of variance {ANOVA}, and Pearson correlation) were implemented. All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 29.0) (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY). Results From April 2021 to August 2023, a total of 121 patients participated in the study. Out of these, 81 underwent assessments both pre- and post-RT. The median age was 73; the median follow-up period was five months. The predominant diagnoses included prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gynecological malignancies. A significant proportion of patients was diagnosed with stage IV cancer and underwent palliative RT. Post-RT evaluations revealed a decline in scores for some patients, while an increase was observed for others. Certain score variations were statistically significant. Moreover, an inverse correlation was discerned between the RT dose and fraction number and the post-RT EFS score. Conclusion Our research confirmed that a substantial number of patients either experienced a decrease or maintained stability in their EFS scores after RT. This observation suggests that RT might not exacerbate frailty in the elderly in the short term. Nevertheless, to elucidate the long-term impact of RT on frailty, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive assessment correlating EFS scores with survival rates.

Fixing the Leaky Pipe: How to Improve the Uptake of Patient-Reported Outcomes-Based Prognostic and Predictive Models in Cancer Clinical Practice

PURPOSE

This discussion paper outlines challenges and proposes solutions for successfully implementing prediction models that incorporate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer practice.

METHODS

We organized a full-day multidisciplinary meeting of people with expertise in cancer care delivery, PRO collection, PRO use in prediction modeling, computing, implementation, and decision science. The discussions presented here focused on identifying challenges to the development, implementation and use of prediction models incorporating PROs, and suggesting possible solutions.

RESULTS

Specific challenges and solutions were identified across three broad areas. (1) Understanding decision making and implementation: necessitating multidisciplinary collaboration in the early stages and throughout; early stakeholder engagement to define the decision problem and ensure acceptability of PROs in prediction; understanding patient/clinician interpretation of PRO predictions and uncertainty to optimize prediction impact; striving for model integration into existing electronic health records; and early regulatory alignment. (2) Recognizing the limitations to PRO collection and their impact on prediction: incorporating validated, clinically important PROs to maximize model generalizability and clinical engagement; and minimizing missing PRO data (resulting from both structural digital exclusion and time-varying factors) to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. (3) Statistical and modeling challenges: incorporating statistical methods to address missing data; ensuring predictive modeling recognizes complex causal relationships; and considering temporal and geographic recalibration so that model predictions reflect the relevant population.

CONCLUSION

Developing and implementing PRO-based prediction models in cancer care requires extensive multidisciplinary working from the earliest stages, recognition of implementation challenges because of PRO collection and model presentation, and robust statistical methods to manage missing data, causality, and calibration. Prediction models incorporating PROs should be viewed as complex interventions, with their development and impact assessment carried out to reflect this.

Validity of a self-administered G8 screening test for older patients with cancer

INTRODUCTION

The Geriatric 8 (G8) is a brief cancer-specific tool which screens for patients who require a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The G8 test assesses patients on eight domains such as mobility, polypharmacy, age, and self-rated health. However, the current G8 requires a healthcare professional (nurse or physician) present to conduct the test, which limits its usefulness. The Self-G8 questionnaire (S-G8) is an adaptation of the original G8 test, assessing all the same domains, with questions modified to be appropriate for patients to self-complete. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of S-G8 compared to the G8 and CGA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The initial S-G8 was designed by our team through review of the literature and questionnaire design principles, and was optimized through feedback from patients over the age of 70. The questionnaire subsequently underwent further refinement after undergoing pilot testing (N = 14). The diagnostic accuracy of the final iteration of the S-G8 was evaluated along with the standard G8 in a prospective cohort study (N = 52) in an academic geriatric oncology clinic at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada. Psychometric characteristics were evaluated including internal consistency, sensitivity, and specificity compared to the G8 and to the CGA.

RESULTS

There was strong correlation between the G8 and S-G8 scores, with a Spearman correlation co-efficient of 0.76 (p < 0.001). Internal consistency was acceptable at 0.60. The frequency of abnormality (<14 score) for the G8 and S-G8 was 82.7% and 61.5%, respectively. The mean score for the original G8 and S-G8 was 11.9 and 13.5, respectively. The cut-off of 14 for the S-G8 yielded the best combination of sensitivity of 0.70 ± 0.07 and specificity of 0.78 ± 0.14 when compared to the G8. When compared to two or more abnormal domains on the CGA, the S-G8 performed at least as well as the G8 with a sensitivity of 0.77, specificity of 0.85, and a Youden's index of 0.62.

DISCUSSION

The S-G8 questionnaire appears to be an acceptable alternative to the original G8 in identifying older adults with cancer who will benefit from a CGA. Large scale testing is warranted.

Early Palliative Care for the Geriatric Patient with Cancer

Older adults with cancer present with complex multidimensional problems. Therefore, early integration of palliative care for the older adult with cancer is important, and a multidisciplinary team approach is critical for optimum care. The importance of incorporating geriatric and palliative concerns in assessment, as well as early involvement of the multidisciplinary team, is discussed as a manner of addressing the needs of older adults with cancer. Concerns related to metabolic changes that can occur with aging, as well as risk for polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing for older adults, are also reviewed.

The Impact of Frailty on Palliative Care Receipt, Emergency Room Visits and Hospital Deaths in Cancer Patients: A Registry-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status is used in decision-making to identify fragile patients, despite the development of new and possibly more reliable measures. This study aimed to examine the impact of frailty on end-of-life healthcare utilization in deceased cancer patients.

METHOD

Hospital Frailty Risk Scores (HFRS) were calculated based on 109 weighted International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) diagnoses, and HFRS was related to (a) receipt of specialized palliative care, (b) unplanned emergency room (ER) visits during the last month of life, and (c) acute hospital deaths.

RESULTS

A total of 20,431 deceased cancer patients in ordinary accommodations were studied (nursing home residents were excluded). Frailty, as defined by the HFRS, was more common in men than in women (42% vs. 38%, p < 0.001) and in people residing in less affluent residential areas (42% vs. 39%, p < 0.001). Patients with frailty were older (74.1 years vs. 70.4 years, p < 0.001). They received specialized palliative care (SPC) less often (76% vs. 81%, p < 0.001) but had more unplanned ER visits (50% vs. 35%, p < 0.001), and died more often in acute hospital settings (22% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression models, the odds ratio (OR) was higher for frail people concerning ER visits (OR 1.81 (1.71-1.92), p < 0.001) and hospital deaths (OR 1.66 (1.51-1.81), p < 0.001), also in adjusted models, when controlled for age, sex, socioeconomic status at the area level, and for receipt of SPC.

CONCLUSION

Frailty, as measured by the HFRS, significantly affects end-of-life cancer patients and should be considered in oncologic decision-making.

Trends in the age of hospitalized patients with urological cancers: A 17-year experience

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of global aging on the trends in the age of hospitalized patients with a urological cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated a cumulative total of 10 652 cases of referred patients (n = 6637) with a urological disease who were hospitalized in our institution between January 2005 and December 2021. We compared age and the proportion of patients aged ≥80 years among patients who were hospitalized in the urological ward between the period of 2005-2013 and that of 2014-2021.

RESULTS

We identified 8168 hospitalized patients with urological cancer. The median age was significantly increased in patients with urological cancer between the periods of 2005-2013 and 2014-2021. The proportion of hospitalized patients with urological cancer aged ≥80 years was significantly increased between the periods of 2005-2013 (9.3%) and 2014-2021 (13.8%). The median ages of the patients with urothelial cancer (UC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but not the median age of those with prostate cancer (PC), were significantly increased between the study periods. The proportion of hospitalized patients with UC, but not the proportions of those with PC and RCC, aged ≥80 years was significantly increased between the study periods.

CONCLUSIONS

The age of patients with urological cancer who were hospitalized in the urological ward and the proportion of patients with UC aged ≥80 years significantly increased over the entire study period.

Long-term health-care utilisation in older patients with cancer and the association with the Geriatric 8 screening tool: a retrospective analysis using linked clinical and population-based data in Belgium

BACKGROUND

Little evidence is available on the long-term health-care utilisation of older patients with cancer and whether this is associated with geriatric screening results. We aimed to evaluate long-term health-care utilisation among older patients after cancer diagnosis and the association with baseline Geriatric 8 (G8) screening results.

METHODS

For this retrospective analysis, we included data from three cohort studies for patients (aged ≥70 years) with a new cancer diagnosis who underwent G8 screening between Oct 19, 2009 and Feb 27, 2015, and who survived more than 3 months after G8 screening. The clinical data were linked to cancer registry and health-care reimbursement data for long-term follow-up. The occurrence of outcomes (inpatient hospital admissions, emergency department visits, use of intensive care, contacts with general practitioner [GP], contacts with a specialist, use of home care, and nursing home admissions) was assessed in the 3 years after G8 screening. We assessed the association between outcomes and baseline G8 score (normal score [>14] or abnormal [≤14]) using adjusted rate ratios (aRRs) calculated from Poisson regression and using cumulative incidence calculated as a time-to-event analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method.

FINDINGS

7556 patients had a new cancer diagnosis, of whom 6391 patients (median age 77 years [IQR 74-82]) met inclusion criteria and were included. 4110 (64·3%) of 6391 patients had an abnormal baseline G8 score (≤14 of 17 points). In the first 3 months after G8 screening, health-care utilisation peaked and then decreased over time, with the exception of GP contacts and home care days, which remained high throughout the 3-year follow-up period. Compared with patients with a normal baseline G8 score, patients with an abnormal baseline G8 score had more hospital admissions (aRR 1·20 [95% CI 1·15-1·25]; p<0·0001), hospital days (1·66 [1·64-1·68]; p<0·0001), emergency department visits (1·42 [1·34-1·52]; p<0·0001), intensive care days (1·49 [1·39-1·60]; p<0·0001), general practitioner contacts (1·19 [1·17-1·20]; p<0·0001), home care days (1·59 [1·58-1·60]; p<0·0001), and nursing home admissions (16·7% vs 3·1%; p<0·0001) in the 3-year follow-up period. At 3 years, of the 2281 patients with a normal baseline G8 score, 1421 (62·3%) continued to live at home independently and 503 (22·0%) had died. Of the 4110 patients with an abnormal baseline G8 score, 1057 (25·7%) continued to live at home independently and 2191 (53·3%) had died.

INTERPRETATION

An abnormal G8 score at cancer diagnosis was associated with increased health-care utilisation in the subsequent 3 years among patients who survived longer than 3 months.

FUNDING

Stand up to Cancer, the Flemish Cancer Society.

Prospective Observational Study Evaluating the Prognostic Value of the G8 Screening Tool for Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Who Received Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Inhibitor plus Platinum-Etoposide Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor plus platinum-etoposide chemotherapy is used as a first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), regardless of age.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the role of the Geriatric 8 (G8) screening tool for evaluating treatment outcomes in patients with ES-SCLC treated with PD-L1 inhibitor plus platinum-etoposide chemotherapy as first-line therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between September 2019 and October 2021, we prospectively evaluated patients with ES-SCLC treated with immunochemotherapy at ten institutions in Japan. The G8 score was assessed before treatment initiation.

RESULTS

We evaluated 44 patients with ES-SCLC. Patients with G8 score > 11 had longer overall survival (OS) than those with G8 score ≤ 11 (not reached versus 8.3 months; log-rank test, p = 0.005). In univariate and multivariate analyses, G8 score > 11 [hazard ratio (HR) 0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-0.75; p = 0.008 and HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.14-0.82; p = 0.02, respectively) and performance status (PS) of 2 (HR 5.42; 95% CI 2.08-14.2; p < 0.001 and HR 6.94; 95% CI 2.25-21.4; p < 0.001, respectively) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Among patients with good PS (0 or 1), the OS in patients with G8 score > 11 was significantly longer than that in patients with G8 score ≤ 11 (not reached versus 12.3 months; log-rank test, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

G8 score evaluation before treatment initiation was useful as a prognostic factor for ES-SCLC patients who received PD-L1 inhibitors and platinum-etoposide chemotherapy, even with good PS.

Frailty Assessment and Prehabilitation as Part of a PeRioperative Evaluation and Planning (PREP) Program for Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

Frailty assessment and prehabilitation can be incrementally implemented in a multidisciplinary, multiphase pathway to improve patient care. To start, modifications can be made to a surgeon's practice with existing resources while adapting standard pathways for frail patients. Frailty screening can identify patients in need of additional assessment and optimization. Personalized utilization of frailty data for optimization through prehabilitation can improve postoperative outcomes and identify patients who would benefit from adapted care. Additional utilization of the multidisciplinary team can lead to improved outcomes and a strong business case to add additional members of the team.

Management of Prostate Cancer in Older Adults

The majority of men with prostate cancer are diagnosed when they are older than 65 years; however, clinical trial participants are disproportionately younger and more fit than the real-world population treated in typical clinical practices. It is, therefore, unknown whether the optimal approach to prostate cancer treatment is the same for older men as it is for younger and/or more fit men. Short screening tools can be used to efficiently assess frailty, functional status, life expectancy, and treatment toxicity risk. These risk assessment tools allow for targeted interventions to increase a patient's reserve and improve treatment tolerance, potentially allowing more men to experience the benefit of the significant recent treatment advances in prostate cancer. Treatment plans should also take into consideration each patient's individual goals and values considered within their overall health and social context to reduce barriers to care. In this review, we will discuss evidence-based risk assessment and decision tools for older men with prostate cancer, highlight intervention strategies to improve treatment tolerance, and contextualize these tools within the current treatment landscape for prostate cancer.

Item analysis of G8 screening in uro-oncologic geriatric patients

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

The G8 score is a widespread screening tool for geriatric frailty in oncology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the scores and relevance of G8 items in a standard screening of geriatric patients with uro-oncologic diseases to better understand the results of the assessment.

METHODS

Eighty-two consecutive uro-oncologic geriatric patients aged 75 years and older were evaluated. All patients underwent a G8 screening that consisted of 8 items. Patients with a G8 score above 14 were considered geriatric "fit", while others were considered to be "frail". Overall results and single item scores were evaluated. Clinical data were gathered from patients' charts.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 82 years (min. 75-max. 102). In 36 of the patients, the G8 score indicated "no-frailty", and in 46 patients, the G8 score indicated "frailty". The mean G8 score was 12.9 (min 4-max 17 pts). Item analysis revealed that points were most often lost in items H (polypharmacy), P (comparison of health status to peers) and Age. Fifty-nine, 56 and 52 patients lost points on item Age, item H and item P, respectively. In contrast, the majority of patients reached the maximum score for nutritional items [i.e., items A (food intake), B (weight loss) and F (body mass index (BMI))]. For item A, 73 patients reached the maximum score; for item B, 62 patients reached the maximum score; and for item F, 72 patients reached the maximum score. There were no differences in this distribution pattern when comparing tumour entities, sex, and patients with local vs. metastatic disease.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed a high percentage of suspicious test results. Potential reasons for these findings include the low threshold of the G8 overall score and the fact that in some items, points were easily lost. Modifications of the test should be considered.

[Benefit of a Geriatric Evaluation before Operations, Interventions and Oncological Therapies]

Benefit of a Geriatric Evaluation before Operations, Interventions and Oncological Therapies Abstract: Older patients face an increased risk of complications and adverse outcomes during and after operations, interventions, and intense oncological therapies. At the same time, this patient group should not be excluded per se from potentially beneficial medical procedures based on chronological age alone. The timely identification of geriatric syndromes and increased vulnerability by means of comprehensive geriatric assessment is becoming increasingly important and is already recommended in the guidelines of professional societies of several medical disciplines. Nonetheless, the geriatric assessment should ideally be followed by proactive co-management in the sense of integrated care. The establishment of interdisciplinary and integrated care pathways for older hospital patients can contribute to significantly improved treatment outcomes. In addition to better patient-related outcomes and rising quality indicators, this approach may also offer positive health economic effects.

Clinical decision-making in older patients with cancer: a cross-sectional single-centre study to assess the impact of clinical judgement and patient preferences

OBJECTIVE

The heterogeneity in the population of older patients with cancer makes clinical decision-making difficult. We investigated the agreement between the G8 score and clinical judgment in frailty assessments, determined the impact of a life-expectancy calculator, and explored patient and caregiver preferences towards the treatment goal.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥75 years in need of new oncological treatment were prospectively enrolled between June 2020 and February 2021. Frailty was estimated by the oncologist and caregiver and compared to the G8 estimation. We examined whether the oncologist changed the fit/frail estimation based on life expectancy calculated using the ePrognosis tool. The main treatment goals, either longevity or quality of life (QoL), from the patient's and caregiver's perspective were noted and compared.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients were included in the analysis. Comparison of the oncologist's and the caregiver's frailty estimation with the G8 assessment showed agreement and a Kappa coefficient of 58.3% (0.231) and 60% (0.255), respectively. The ePrognosis score and the odds of change in the frailty estimation by the oncologist showed no correlation. Regarding preferences, 28 (57.1%) and 17 (34.7%) patients and eighteen (47.3%) and seventeen (44.7%) caregivers chose longevity and QoL, respectively. The observed agreement and Kappa coefficient were 78.8% and 0.578.

CONCLUSION

Compared to the G8 assessment, frailty was underestimated by both oncologists and caregivers. Most of the patients chose longevity over QoL, and the preferences between the patient and the caregiver matched in the majority of cases.

Rapid geriatric screening tools predict inability to manage stoma by oneself after urinary diversion: G8 and IADL-modified G8

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate whether functional screening, as assessed by the Geriatric-8 (G8) and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)-modified G8, are associated with the inability to manage a stoma by themselves in patients with bladder cancer who underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed a total of 110 consecutive patients with bladder cancer who underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy and were screened preoperatively using the G8 and the IADL-modified G8 at our institution between January 2020 and December 2022. Patients who could not undergo geriatric screening at the preoperative clinic before surgery and patients who underwent orthotopic neobladder construction were excluded. We evaluated the association between clinical factors, including scores of G8 and IADL-modified G8, and the inability to manage a stoma by oneself. For both G8 and IADL-modified G8, a cutoff value of ≤14 was set.

RESULTS

Of the 110 patients, the median age was 77 years, 92 (84%) patients were male and 47 (43%) patients were unable to manage a stoma by themselves. The geriatric assessment indicated that 64 patients (58%) were classified in the low G8 (≤14) group and 66 patients (60%) were classified in the low IADL-modified G8 (≤14) group. The values of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting inability to manage stoma by oneself were 0.725 for the G8 and 0.734 for the IADL-modified G8, respectively. Multivariate analysis including the G8 revealed that age ≥ 80, Charlson comorbidity index of ≥3, and G8 ≤ 14 (odds ratio [OR] = 4.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8-13.0; P = 0.002) were independent risk factors for inability to manage a stoma by oneself. Likewise, multivariate analysis including the IADL-modified G8 revealed that age ≥ 80, Charlson comorbidity index of ≥3, and IADL-modified G8 ≤ 14 (OR = 5.4; 95% CI = 1.9-14.0; P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for inability to manage a stoma by oneself.

DISCUSSION

Screening using G8 and IADL-modified G8 may predict patients who have difficulty self-managing their stomas.

Linking clinical and population-based data in older patients with cancer in Belgium: Feasibility and clinical outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Geriatric screening and geriatric assessment (GS/GA) have proven their benefits in the care for older patients with cancer. However, less is known about the predictive value of GS/GA for outcomes. To research this, clinical data on GS/GA can be enriched with population-based data. In this article we describe the methods and feasibility of data linkage, and first clinical outcomes (GS/GA results and overall survival).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A large cohort study consisting of patients aged ≥70 years with a new cancer diagnosis was established using linked data from clinical and population-based databases. Clinical data were derived from a previous prospective study where older patients with cancer were screened with G8, followed by GA in case of an abnormal result (GS/GA study; 2009-2015). These data were linked to cancer registration data from the Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR), reimbursement data of the health insurance companies (InterMutualistic Agency, IMA), and hospital discharge data (Technical Cell, TCT). Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of the G8 geriatric screening tool.

RESULTS

Of the 8067 eligible patients with a new cancer diagnosis, linkage of data from the GS/GA study and data from the BCR was successful for 93.7%, resulting in a cohort of 7556 patients available for the current analysis. Further linkage with the IMA and TCT database resulted in a cohort of 7314 patients (96.8%). Based on G8 geriatric screening, 67.9% of the patients had a geriatric risk profile. Malnutrition and functional dependence were the most common GA-identified risk factors. An abnormal baseline G8 score (≤14/17) was associated with lower overall survival (adjusted HR [aHR] = 1.62 [1.50-1.75], p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Linking clinical and population-based databases for older patients with cancer has shown to be feasible. The GS/GA results at cancer diagnosis demonstrate the vulnerability of this population and the G8 score showed prognostic value for overall survival. The established cohort of almost 8000 patients with long-term follow-up will serve as a basis in the future for detailed analyses on long-term outcomes beyond survival.

Frailty and Cancer: Current Perspectives on Assessment and Monitoring

Frailty, an age-related condition of increased vulnerability to acute endogenous or exogenous stressors, is a key barrier to successful treatment of cancer in older people. In this group of patients, assessment of frailty is required before starting a new treatment. According to guidelines, the gold standard to assess frailty in older adults with cancer is geriatric screening followed by geriatric assessment (GA) across essential GA-domains (social status, physical function, nutrition, cognition, emotion, co-morbidity, polypharmacy). GA enables tailoring of both oncological therapy and non-oncological interventions to the patient's vulnerabilities. Large clinical trials recently have demonstrated that the feasibility and tolerability of systemic cancer treatment in older patients are significantly improved by such GA-guided management. Indications and optimal tools for frailty monitoring during the course of cancer treatment have not yet been defined in greater detail. New technologies such as wearable sensors or apps offer promising new opportunities to further develop frailty monitoring. This review describes the current standards and perspectives for the assessment and monitoring of frailty in elderly patients with cancer.

Multidimensional Oncological Frailty Scale (MOFS): A New Quick-To-Use Tool for Detecting Frailty and Stratifying Risk in Older Patients with Cancer-Development and Validation Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Frailty detection with comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is of pivotal importance in older patients with cancer to avoid over- or under-treatment and to detect those at increased risk for poor outcomes. Several tools have been developed to capture the complexity of frailty, but only a few were explicitly conceived for older adults with cancer. The study aimed at developing and validating a multidimensional, easy-to-use diagnostic tool for early-risk stratification in patients with cancer, called the Multidimensional Oncological Frailty Scale (MOFS).

METHODS

In this single-center prospective study, we consecutively enrolled 163 older women (age ≥ 75 years) with breast cancer, screened with a G8 score ≤ 14 during the outpatient preoperative evaluation at our breast centre, as the development cohort. Seventy patients with different types of cancer admitted to our OncoGeriatric Clinic served as the validation cohort. Using stepwise linear regression analysis, we evaluated the relationship between Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) and CGA items, and, finally, realized a screening tool based on the combination of the significant variables.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 80.4 ± 5.8 years, while the mean age of the validation cohort was 78.6 ± 6.6 years [42 women (60%)]. A composite model of the Clinical Frailty Scale, G8, and hand grip strength test showed a strong correlation with MPI (R= -0.712, p < 0.001). The MOFS accuracy in the prediction of mortality was optimal in both the development and the validation cohorts (AUC 0.82 and 0.87; p < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MOFS represents a new, accurate, quick-to-use frailty screening tool for stratifying the risk of mortality in geriatric cancer patients.

Geriatric assessment and the variance of treatment recommendations in geriatric patients with gastrointestinal cancer-a study in AIO oncologists

BACKGROUND

Geriatric assessment (GA) is recommended to detect vulnerabilities for elderly cancer patients. To assess whether results of GA actually influence the treatment recommendations, we conducted a case vignette-based study in medical oncologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy oncologists gave their medical treatment recommendations for a maximum of 4 out of 10 gastrointestinal cancer patients in three steps: (i) based on tumor findings alone to simulate the guideline recommendation for a '50-year-old standard patient without comorbidities'; (ii) for the same situation in elderly patients (median age 77.5 years) according to the comorbidities, laboratory values and a short video simulating the clinical consultation; and (iii) after the results of a full GA including interpretation aid [Barthel Index, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), Geriatric 8 (G8), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Timed Get Up and Go (TGUG), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), stair climb test].

RESULTS

Data on 164 treatment recommendations were analyzed. The recommendations had a significantly higher variance for elderly patients than for 'standard' patients (944 versus 602, P < 0.0001) indicating a lower agreement between oncologists. Knowledge on GA had marginal influence on the treatment recommendation or its variance (944 versus 940, P = 0.92). There was no statistically significant influence of the working place or the years of experience in oncology on the variance of recommendations. The geriatric tools were rated approximately two times higher as being 'meaningful' (53%) and 'useful for the presented cases' (49%) than they were 'used in clinical practice' (19%). The most commonly used geriatric tool in patient care was the MNA (30%).

CONCLUSIONS

The higher variance of treatment recommendations indicates that it is less likely for elderly patients to get the optimal recommendation. Although the proposed therapeutic regimen varied higher in elderly patients and the oncologists rated the GA results as 'useful', the GA results did not influence the individual recommendations or its variance. Continuing education on GA and research on implementation into clinical practice are needed.

A novel predictive model for postoperative delirium using multiple geriatric screening factors

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to develop a new composite score to accurately predict postoperative delirium (POD) after major urological cancer surgery.

METHODS

Our retrospective analysis included, in total, 449 consecutive patients who experienced major urological cancer surgery and a preoperative geriatric functional assessment at our institution (development cohort). Geriatric functional assessments included Geriatric 8, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and mini-cognitive assessment instrument (Mini-Cog). Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors related to POD and combined to create a predictive score. The composite score was externally validated using a cohort of 92 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and a preoperative geriatric functional assessment (validation cohort). The predictive accuracy and performance of the composite score were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and calibration plots.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis of a development cohort, the following factors were significantly associated with POD: a Mini-Cog score of <3 (odds ratio [OR] = 9.5; p < 0.001), disability in the responsibility for medication (OR = 4.1; p = 0.03), and the preoperative use of benzodiazepine (OR = 6.4; p < 0.001). The composite score of these three factors showed excellent discrimination in predicting POD, with AUC values of 0.819 and 0.804 in development and validation cohorts, respectively. Calibration plots showing predicted probability and actual observation in both cohorts showed good agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

A combined model of Mini-Cog, a disability in the responsibility for medication, and preoperative benzodiazepine use showed excellent discriminative power in predicting POD.

The preoperative G8 geriatric screening tool independently predicts survival in older patients with endometrial cancer: results of a retrospective single-institution cohort study

PURPOSE

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of global health status assessment tools in elderly patients with endometrial cancer (EC) on survival.

METHODS

Preoperative frailty status was assessed by the G8 geriatric screening tool (G8 Score), Lee Schonberg prognostic index, Charlson Comorbidity index and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status System in women older than 60 years with EC. Univariable and multivariable Cox-regression analyses, as well as Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed to determine the prognostic impact. Statistical analyses were adjusted for cancer entity-specific risk factors such as conventional histopathological tumor characteristics and relevant anamnestic life style parameters.

RESULTS

153 patients with all stages of EC who were operated at the University Medical Center Mainz between 2008 and 2019 were included. In multivariable analyses, only the G8 Score retained independent significance as a prognostic factor for disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR:4.58; 95% CI [1.35-15.51]) and overall survival (OS) (HR:2.89; 95% CI [1.31-6.39]. 92 patients (61.3%) were classified as G8-non-frail with a significantly increased DSS and OS rate compared to the 58 G8-frail patients (DSS:93.8% vs. 60.8%; p < 0.001 and OS:88.2% vs. 49.7%; p < 0.001; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study demonstrates the substantial clinical and prognostic impact of the G8 Score on survival in elderly women with EC. Assessing the frailty status to estimate the individual vulnerability of elderly cancer patients could be useful in preoperative decision-making to individualize treatment plans such as the surgical radicality and to improve pre- and postoperative morbidity.

Considerations and analysis of the implementation of oncogeriatrics in Chile and its importance: Review of current literature

The Chilean census of 2017 reported that 11.4% of the local population are 65 years or older, and according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) the current expectancy of life in Chile is 76 years for men and 81 years for women respectively. Cancer in Chile is a major public health problem. Aging is a significant risk factor for cancer development which added to the improved life expectancy, it increases the incidence of cancer. In 2040, new cancer cases will increase from 19.3 to 30.2 million worldwide. Older people are a heterogeneous group requiring specialized and individualized management. Chronological age does not necessarily correlate with physiological age. More than half of the geriatric patients with cancer have at least one comorbidity which is relevant when defining a cancer treatment. Likewise, polypharmacy is frequent and is an important issue to consider in people with cancer due to the risk associated with drug interactions. Oncogeriatric assessment consists of a comprehensive multidimensional evaluation, including functional and biopsychosocial issues, addressing aspects of the neoplastic disease such as the risk of toxicities due to systemic therapy and life expectancy. This tool has proven to be helpful in the diagnosis of conditions that are not evident in a routine oncological evaluation, such as geriatric syndromes, frailty, functional dependence, and cognitive impairment among others, which have an impact when deciding on therapy, predicting risks of treatment toxicity and mortality. In this article we aim to describe the current situation of Oncogeriatrics and to provide epidemiological information about cancer in the elderly population in Chile attempting to highlight the importance of the Oncogeriatrics units, within cancer departments, for a better decision taking in the elderly cancer patient.

Radiotherapy dose escalation using endorectal brachytherapy in elderly and frail patients with rectal cancer unsuitable for surgery: Lessons from studies in fit patients and future perspectives

Epidemiological data indicate that more than 50 % of patients with newly-diagnosed rectal cancer are older than 70 years, with rising numbers expected over the next decades. Treatment decision-making is challenging in elderly and frail patients with rectal cancer, whereas standardized treatment guidelines for this patient cohort are lacking. Elderly and frail rectal cancer patients are often considered by surgeons as unfit to undergo radical surgery as the risk of surgical complications and postoperative mortality rises with increasing age and comorbidity. Furthermore, these patients often receive no treatment at all, resulting in local and/or systemic disease progression with associated symptoms and impaired quality of life (QoL). Recent data from randomized trials in young fit patients with early stage rectal cancer indicate that RT dose escalation can be safely delivered using external beam (chemo)radiotherapy (EBRT) followed by endoluminal radiotherapeutic modalities, such as contact X-ray brachytherapy (CXB) or high-dose rate endorectal brachytherapy (HDR-BT). However, prospective studies testing this therapeutic concept in elderly and frail patients remain limited. Here, we review the current evidence in the epidemiology and the management of elderly and frail patients with rectal cancer. We summarize the potential of RT dose escalation to achieve long-term local control of the primary tumour, prevent disease-related morbidity, improve QoL and even organ preservation. Future perspectives and open questions will be discussed as well.

Germain D, Mohile S, Hudson MF. Enrolling Older Adults Onto National Cancer Institute-Funded Clinical Trials in Community Oncology Clinics: Barriers and Solutions

In April 2021, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Cancer Prevention collaborated with the NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis to produce a virtual workshop that developed recommendations for enhancing NCI-sponsored clinical trial accrual of older adults. Prior to the workshop, a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders (eg, community oncologists, advanced practice practitioners, clinic and research staff, and patient advocates) gathered information related to accrual of older adults to clinical trials from the literature. Subsequently, a survey was conducted to detail NCI Community Oncology Research Program members' perspective on accrual barriers for this population; 305 individuals responded to the survey. Barriers to clinical trial accruals included comorbidity-attributed trial ineligibility, transportation and time issues, concern that the proposed regimen is too toxic for older adults, patient or family caregiver declined participation, and lack of trials relevant to older patients. Identified solutions included broadening clinical trial inclusion criteria, increasing the number of clinical trials specifically designed for older adults, simplifying consent forms, improving recruitment materials for older adults and their families, and facilitating transportation vouchers. At the workshop, participants, including stakeholders, used prior literature and survey results to develop recommendations, including interventions to address clinician bias, implement geriatric assessment, and promote clinician and staff engagement as mechanisms to improve accrual of older adults to clinical trials.

Integrating Geriatric Assessment Measures into National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials

To improve the care of older adults with cancer, the traditional approach to clinical trial design needs to be reconsidered. Older adults are underrepresented in clinical trials with limited or no information on geriatric-specific factors, such as cognition or comorbidities. To address this knowledge gap and increase relevance of therapeutic clinical trial results to the real-life population, integration of aspects relevant to older adults is needed in oncology clinical trials. Geriatric assessment (GA) is a multidimensional tool comprising validated measures assessing specific health domains that are more frequently affected in older adults, including aspects related to physical function, comorbidity, medication use (polypharmacy), cognitive and psychological status, social support, and nutritional status. There are several mechanisms for incorporating either the full GA or specific GA measures into oncology therapeutic clinical trials to contribute to the overarching goal of the trial. Mechanisms include utilizing GA measures to better characterize the trial population, define trial eligibility, allocate treatment receipt within the context of the trial, develop predictive models for treatment outcomes, guide supportive care strategies, personalize care delivery, and assess longitudinal changes in GA domains. The objective of this manuscript is to review how GA measures can contribute to the overall goal of a clinical trial, to provide a framework to guide the selection and integration of GA measures into clinical trial design, and ultimately enable accrual of older adults to clinical trials by facilitating the design of trials tailored to older adults treated in clinical practice.

Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) Predicts Postoperative Major Complications After Hepato-Pancreato Biliary Surgery in the Elderly

BACKGROUND

As society ages, an increasing number of elderly patients require hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. We investigated the risk factors for complications in elderly patients undergoing HPB surgery using surgical risk scoring models.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated 184 elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) who underwent HPB surgery, including the liver, pancreas, bile duct, and/or gallbladder resection, with exemption to simple cholecystectomy between January 2017 and December 2019. The surgical risk scoring models used included the Estimation of Physiological Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS), Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM), and Geriatric 8 (G8). We evaluated the correlations between the scores and severe complications. Complications were classified as severe (Clavien-Dindo classification [C-D] ≥ III) or non-severe (C-D ≤ II).

RESULTS

Complications occurred in 78 patients (24 C-D ≥ III, 54 C-D ≤ II). Preoperative risk score (PRS), surgical stress score (SSS), and comprehensive risk score (CRS) were significantly higher in patients with C-D ≥ IIIa than in those with C-D ≤ II. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that PRS (P = 0.01) and SSS (P = 0.04) were independent predictive factors for severe complications. However, the POSSUM and G8 models showed no significant correlations to severe complications.

CONCLUSION

E-PASS is a useful model for predicting complications in elderly patients undergoing HPB surgery.

Functional status in older patients with cancer and a frailty risk profile: A multicenter observational study

INTRODUCTION

Functional status (FS) and frailty are significant concerns for older adults, especially those with cancer. Data on FS (Activities of Daily Living [ADL]; Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL]) and its evolution during cancer treatment in older patients and a frailty risk profile are scarce. Therefore, this study examines FS and its evolution in older patients with cancer and a frailty risk profile and investigates characteristics associated with functional decline.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This secondary data-analysis, focusing on FS, uses data from a large prospective multicenter observational cohort study. Patients ≥70 years with a solid tumor and a frailty risk profile based on the G8 screening tool (score ≤ 14) were included. A geriatric assessment was performed including evaluation of FS based on ADL and IADL. At approximately three months of follow-up, FS was reassessed. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictive factors for functional decline in ADL and IADL.

RESULTS

Data on ADL and IADL were available at baseline and follow-up in 3388 patients. At baseline 1886 (55.7%) patients were dependent for ADL, whereas 2085 (61.5%) patients were dependent at follow-up. Functional decline was observed in 23.6% of patients. For IADL 2218 (65.5%) patients were dependent for IADL, whereas 2591 (76.5%) patients were dependent at follow-up. Functional decline in IADL was observed in 41.0% of patients. In multivariable analysis, disease stage III or IV, comorbidities, falls history in the past twelve months, and FS measured by IADL were predictive factors for functional decline in both ADL and IADL. Other predictive factors for functional decline in ADL were polypharmacy, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status (ECOG-PS) score 2-4, and cognitive impairment, and for functional decline in IADL were female sex, fatigue, and risk for depression.

DISCUSSION

Functional impairments are frequent in older persons with cancer and a frailty risk profile, and several characteristics are identified that are significantly associated with functional decline. Therefore, FS is an essential part of the geriatric assessment which should be standard of care for this patient population. Next step is to proceed with directed interventions with the aim to limit the risk of functional decline as much as possible.