Incidence of falls and fall-related injuries and their predictive factors in frail older persons with cancer: a multicenter study.

Background: Falls and fall-related injuries are a major public health problem. Data on falls in older persons with cancer is limited and robust data on falls within those with a frailty profile are missing. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and predictive factors for falls and fall-related injuries in frail older persons with cancer.

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.

Interest for a Systematic Rehabilitation Program Including Physical Exercise and Lifestyle Accompaniment for Women Recently Treated for Early Breast Cancer: A Comparative Study.

Background/aim: A prospective non-randomized study was performed on 68 women who had recently undergone curative treatment (surgery +/- adjuvant radio/chemotherapy) for breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients were distributed into 2 subgroups, control (C) group (n=21) and experimental (E) group (n=47). The last group participated in a 12-week rehabilitation program associating physical activity and psychoeducational workshops, including management of stress, diet, and sleep disorders.

The prognostic value of patient-reported Health-Related Quality of Life and Geriatric Assessment in predicting early death in 6769 older (≥70 years) patients with different cancer tumors.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prognostic value of baseline Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) and geriatric assessment (GA) to predict three-month mortality in older patients with cancer undergoing treatment.

Methods: Logistic regressions analysed HRQOL, as measured with the EORTC Global Health Status (GHS) scale, and geriatric information prognostic for early mortality controlling for oncology variables. The assessment was established with the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and level of significance set at p < 0.

Behavior of metastatic breast cancer according to subtype.

Purpose: To explore the impact of breast cancer subtype on metastatic behavior and long-term outcome defined as breast cancer specific survival (BCSS).

Methods: Retrospective single centre cross-sectional study of 5972 patients with newly diagnosed, unilateral first diagnosis of breast cancer, diagnosed 2000-2010. Patients had either early breast cancer (EBC) treated primarily by surgery (SURG n = 5072), neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NEO n = 592), or upfront metastatic disease (META n = 308).

Health related quality of life in older patients with solid tumors and prognostic factors for decline.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at baseline and at follow-up in older patients with cancer and to determine prognostic factors for HRQOL decline.

Methods: A prospective Belgian multicentre (n = 22) study was performed. Patients ≥70 years with a malignant tumor and abnormal G8 (≤14/17) screening tool were included.

The added value of geriatric screening and assessment for predicting overall survival in older patients with cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the added prognostic value of screening tools, geriatric assessment (GA) components, and GA summaries to clinical information for overall survival (OS) in older patients with cancer.

Methods: A screening and a 10-item GA were systematically performed in patients ≥70 years old with cancer. Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the added prognostic value for OS of screening tools, GA, and GA summaries to clinical information (age, stage, and tumor type) in 2 cohorts (A and B).

The prognostic value of 3 commonly measured blood parameters and geriatric assessment to predict overall survival in addition to clinical information in older patients with cancer.

Background: The current study was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of laboratory parameters and geriatric assessment (GA) in addition to a baseline model with clinical information regarding overall survival (OS) in patients with cancer.

Methods: GA was systematically performed in patients aged ≥70 years. The baseline model consisted of age, tumor type, and stage of disease.

Value of geriatric screening and assessment in predicting postoperative complications in patients older than 70 years undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

Objectives: This study examines the association between geriatric screening and geriatric assessment (GA) and the risk of 30-day postoperative complications (30d-POCs) in older patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Materials And Methods: Patients were identified from a prospectively collected database (2009-2015). All patients underwent geriatric screening with the G8 screening tool and the Flemish version of the Triage Risk Screening Tool (fTRST).

Functional decline in older patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: A multicenter prospective study.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the evolution of functional status (FS) 2 to 3months after initiation of chemotherapy, to identify factors associated with functional decline during chemotherapy treatment and to investigate the prognostic value of functional decline for overall survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: Patients ≥70years with a malignant tumor were included when chemotherapy was initiated. All patients underwent a geriatric assessment (GA) including FS measured by Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL).

Relevance of Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the relevance of geriatric assessment (GA) in older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to study functional status (FS) and chemotherapy-related toxicity during treatment.

Methods: Patients with CRC aged ≥ 70 years were evaluated at baseline using a GA. Results were communicated to the treating physician.

Corrigendum to "Implementation of geriatric assessment-based recommendations in older patients with cancer: A multicenter prospective study" [J. Geriatr. Oncol. 6 (2015) 401-410].

The authors regret: A calculation error was corrected in Table 3. As mentioned under the table, the percentage of patients under ‘Baseline’ was calculated from the total no. of patients with geriatric recommendations data (n = 932 pts).

Dietetic and Psychological Mindfulness Workshops for the Management of Cachectic Cancer Patients. A Randomized Study.

Aim: To determine if actively-treated cancer patients developing cachexia could benefit from participation to mindfulness workshops.

Patients And Methods: Subjects developing cachexia signs while treated for cancer were randomized in a trial aiming to compare an experimental group that would participate to specific workshops based on mindfulness alternating dietetic and psychological approaches, and a control group managed in accordance to usual practice.

Results: The recruitment was difficult (12% of the approached population).

Implementation of geriatric assessment-based recommendations in older patients with cancer: A multicentre prospective study.

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to describe geriatric recommendations based on a geriatric assessment (GA) and to evaluate the implementation of these recommendations.

Patients And Methods: A two-step approach of screening followed by a GA was implemented in nine hospitals in Belgium. Patients ≥ 70 years were included at diagnosis or at disease progression/relapse.

Fall predictors in older cancer patients: a multicenter prospective study.

Background: In the older population falls are a common problem and a major cause of morbidity, mortality and functional decline. The etiology is often multifactorial making the identification of fall predictors essential for preventive measures. Despite this knowledge, data on falls within the older cancer population are limited.

Multicenter implementation of geriatric assessment in Belgian patients with cancer: a survey on treating physicians' general experiences and expectations.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify treating physicians' general experiences and expectations regarding geriatric assessment (GA) in older patients with cancer.

Materials And Methods: A survey was carried out in 9 Belgian hospitals, which participated in a national GA implementation project focusing on older patients with cancer. A newly developed questionnaire was completed by their treating physicians.

Performance of two geriatric screening tools in older patients with cancer.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic characteristics of two geriatric screening tools (G8 and Flemish version of the Triage Risk Screening Tool [fTRST]) to identify patients with a geriatric risk profile and to evaluate their prognostic value for functional decline and overall survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: Patients ≥ 70 years old with a malignant tumor were included if a new cancer event occurred requiring treatment decision. Geriatric screening with G8 and fTRST (cutoff ≥ 1 [fTRST (1)] and ≥ 2 [fTRST (2)] evaluated) was performed in all patients, as well as a geriatric assessment (GA) evaluating social situation, functionality (activities of daily living [ADL] + instrumental activities of daily living [IADL]), cognition, depression, and nutrition.

The influence of clinical assessment (including age) and geriatric assessment on treatment decisions in older patients with cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this prospective study in older patients with cancer was to evaluate how clinical assessment (including age) determines the physician's treatment decisions, and how geriatric assessment (GA) further influences these decisions.

Patients And Methods: Patients aged ≥70years old with cancer were included if a new therapy was considered. All patients underwent a GA and results were communicated to the treating physician.

Atropine, hyoscine butylbromide, or scopolamine are equally effective for the treatment of death rattle in terminal care.

Death rattle is a frequent symptom (25%-50%) in the terminal stage of life, but there is neither standardized treatment nor prospective investigation performed on the effectiveness of anticholinergic drugs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of three different anticholinergic drugs in the treatment of death rattle in the terminal stage of life. Terminal patients who developed death rattle were randomly assigned 0.

Treatment of advanced hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with exemestane alone or in combination with celecoxib.

Purpose: Preclinical data showed that the combination of exemestane and celecoxib has synergistic effects. Therefore, a study was undertaken to explore the efficacy and tolerability of this combination in postmenopausal patients with advanced, hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: A randomized phase II study was conducted in postmenopausal patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer and measurable disease who had progressive disease after treatment with tamoxifen.

High-dose oral medroxyprogesterone acetate or tamoxifen as adjuvant hormone therapy for node-negative early-stage breast cancer: randomized trial with 7-year update.

A randomized adjuvant trial compared tamoxifen 20 mg daily for 5 years with high-dose oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 1 g orally for 9 months. One hundred ninety-four patients with histologically proven primary node-negative breast carcinoma were enrolled between December 1990 and October 1996, with 98 patients randomized into the tamoxifen arm and 96 into the MPA arm. At a median follow-up of 86 months, 25 relapses and 13 deaths were recorded.