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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/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.
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.
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).
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.
Purpose: Using the EORTC Global Health Status (GHS) scale, we aimed to determine minimal clinically important differences (MCID) in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) changes for older cancer patients with a geriatric risk profile, as defined by the geriatric 8 (G8) health screening tool, undergoing treatment. Simultaneously, we assessed baseline patient characteristics prognostic for HRQOL changes.
Methods: Our analysis included 1424 (G8 ≤ 14) older patients with cancer scheduled to receive chemotherapy (n = 683) or surgery (n = 741).
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).
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.
Background: In the general older population, geriatric assessment (GA)-guided treatment plans can improve overall survival, quality of life and functional status (FS). In GA-related research in geriatric oncology, studies mainly focused on geriatric screening and GA but not on geriatric recommendations, interventions and follow-up. The aim of this study was to investigate the adherence to geriatric recommendations and subsequent actions undertaken in older patients with cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: 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).
Aim: This study aims to describe the nature, incidence, severity and outcomes of in-hospital postoperative complications (POCs) in older patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer.
Method: Patients ≥ 70 years old were identified from a prospectively collected database (2009-2015) focusing on the implementation of geriatric screening and assessment in patients with cancer. Medical and surgical POCs were retrieved retrospectively from the medical records, and the severity of the POCs was graded by the Clavien-Dindo (CD) grading system.
Purpose: Older patients with lung cancer are a heterogeneous population making treatment decisions complex. This study aims to evaluate the value of geriatric assessment (GA) as well as the evolution of functional status (FS) in older patients with lung cancer, and to identify predictors associated with functional decline and overall survival (OS).
Methods: At baseline, GA was performed in patients ≥70 years with newly diagnosed lung cancer.
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).
Clin Colorectal Cancer
September 2017
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.
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).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The aim of this study is to describe a large-scale, Belgian implementation project about geriatric assessment (=GA) in daily oncology practice and to identify barriers and facilitators for implementing GA in this setting. Design / setting / participants: The principal investigator of every participating hospital (n=22) was invited to complete a newly developed questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions. The closed-ended questions surveyed how GA was implemented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: 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).
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.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: 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.
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.
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.
Background: To evaluate the large-scale feasibility and usefulness of geriatric screening and assessment in clinical oncology practice by assessing the impact on the detection of unknown geriatric problems, geriatric interventions and treatment decisions.
Patients And Methods: Eligible patients who had a malignant tumour were ≥70 years old and treatment decision had to be made. Patients were screened using G8; if abnormal (score ≤14/17) followed by Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA).