External validation of NTCP-models for radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models can be used to estimate the risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP). The aim of this study was to externally validate the most frequently used prediction models for RP, i.e.

The effect of treatment modifications by an onco-geriatric MDT on one-year mortality, days spent at home and postoperative complications.

Objectives: Decision-making in older patients with cancer can be complex, as benefits of treatment should be weighed against possible side-effects and life-expectancy. A novel care pathway was set up incorporating geriatric assessment into treatment decision-making for older cancer patients. Treatment decisions could be modified following discussion in an onco-geriatric multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Impaired Geriatric 8 Score is Associated with Worse Survival after Radiotherapy in Older Patients with Cancer.

Aims: To investigate whether the Geriatric 8 (G8) score and the Timed Get Up and Go Test (TGUGT), together with clinical and demographic patient characteristics, are associated with survival and late toxicity after (chemo)radiation therapy, administered with curative intent in older patients with cancer.

Materials And Methods: Four hundred and two patients aged ≥65 years (median age 72 years, range 65-96 years), diagnosed with either breast, non-small cell lung, prostate, head and neck, rectal or oesophageal cancer, and referred for curative (chemo)radiation therapy, took part in a multicentre prospective cohort study in eight radiotherapy centres in the Netherlands. The G8 and TGUGT scores were assessed before starting treatment.

Test- or judgement-based school track recommendations: Equal opportunities for students with different socio-economic backgrounds?

Background: There are concerns that school track recommendations that are mostly based on teachers' judgements of students' performance ('judgement-based recommendations') are more biased by students' SES than school track recommendations that are mostly based on standardized test results ('test-based recommendations'). A recent policy reform of the Dutch educational system has provided us the unique opportunity to compare the effects of students' SES on these two types of track recommendations.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the differences between test-based and judgement-based recommendations regarding the direct and indirect effect of students' SES at student level and school level.

How to incorporate geriatric assessment in clinical decision-making for older patients with cancer. An implementation study.

Introduction: With the accumulating evidence on the added value on prediction of outcomes of geriatric assessment (GA) in older patients with cancer, the question shifts from whether performing a GA is useful, to how to implement this into standard practice in a feasible and effective way. The effect of implementing GA, and assessment of patient preferences on treatment recommendations by an onco-geriatric multidisciplinary team (MDT), was compared to the recommendation previously made by the tumor board (care as usual).

Methods: Patients aged 70 years and older with a solid malignancy who were referred to a tertiary care center for diagnosis and treatment recommendations, as provided by a tumor board, were included.