End-of-Life Care in the Last Three Months before Death in Older Patients with Cancer in Belgium: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study Using Data Linkage.

This study aims to describe end-of-life (EOL) care in older patients with cancer and investigate the association between geriatric assessment (GA) results and specialized palliative care (SPC) use. Older patients with a new cancer diagnosis (2009-2015) originally included in a previous multicentric study were selected if they died before the end of follow-up (2019). At the time of cancer diagnosis, patients underwent geriatric screening with Geriatric 8 (G8) followed by GA in case of a G8 score ≤14/17.

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.

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.

Late-line treatment with bevacizumab alone or in combination with chemotherapy in recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Purpose: Bevacizumab's use in recurrent high-grade glioma is controversial. This study evaluates outcomes in recurrent high-grade glioma patients receiving bevacizumab alone or combined with chemotherapy as a late-line treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients treated with bevacizumab alone or combined with chemotherapy for high-grade gliomas who showed tumor progression after multiple treatment attempts.

Dabrafenib monotherapy for a recurrent BRAFV600E-mutated TTF-1-positive posterior pituitary tumor.

Posterior pituitary tumors (PPT) expressing thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) are extremely rare low-grade neoplasms. The recent discovery of BRAF mutations in these tumors offers a potential alternative treatment using targeted therapies. We present the case of a 57-year-old female with recurrent BRAFV600E-mutated TTF-1-positive PPT treated with a BRAF inhibitor monotherapy (dabrafenib) leading to tumor regression.

Unplanned hospitalizations in older patients with cancer: Occurrence and predictive factors.

Background: This study aims to investigate the occurrence of unplanned hospitalizations in older patients with cancer and to determine predictive factors.

Methods: A prospective Belgian multicentre (n = 22), observational cohort study was performed. Patients ≥70 years with a malignant tumor were included.

Analysis of inflammatory markers and hormones in old cancer patients: A descriptive study.

Advanced cancers are associated with a chronic inflammation, especially high interleukin-6 (IL-6) and with various levels of adipokines (leptin and adiponectin), while ghrelin counteracts the anorexigenic effect of leptin in cancer-induced anorexia-cachexia syndrome. We aimed to understand how IL-6, adipokines and ghrelin plasma levels could be influenced by cancer on the one hand, and by age, frailty, and nutritional status in old cancer patients on the other hand. Ninety-nine patients aged 79[76-83] years old were included.

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.

[Early postsurgical temozolomide treatment in newly diagnosed bad prognosis glioblastoma patients: Feasibility study].

Introduction: Despite the combined adjuvant treatment of radiotherapy plus chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) followed by 6 cycles of temozolomide after surgery, the prognosis of patients with glioblastoma remains poor. We conducted a monocentric prospective study to explore the tolerance and potential efficacy of an early temozolomide cycle after surgery.

Method: Patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (unmutated IDH1) and of poor prognosis (age>50 years, biopsy or partial resection or unmethylated MGMT promoter) were prospectively included from June 2014 to 2017.

Management of supratentorial recurrent low-grade glioma: A multidisciplinary experience in 35 adult patients.

The management of recurrent diffuse low-grade gliomas (LGGs) is controversial. In the present study, the multidisciplinary management of 35 patients with recurrent LGGs was retrospectively analyzed. Tumor progression or recurrence was defined by clinical, radiological and/or metabolic pejorative evolution.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment and comorbidities predict survival in geriatric oncology.

Objectives: The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) can detect geriatric problems and potentially improve survival, physical, and cognitive state of patients, as well as increase an older person's chances of staying at home longer. In older people, the number and severity of comorbidity increase with age and are an important determinant of survival. The aim of the study was to assess to which extent CGA and comorbidities could be seen as determinants of survival.

Stent-in-Stent Technique for the Treatment of Proximal Bronchial Restenosis after Insertion of Metallic Stents: A Report of Two Cases.

Endoscopic treatment of a bronchial restenosis previously treated by insertion of a partially covered self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) can be difficult. Classically, after recanalization of the bronchus, the stent is removed and replaced by a more adapted one. We report on two cases of proximal bronchial restenosis treated by insertion of an additional stent inside the lumen of the previously inserted stent using the stent-in-stent (SIS) technique.

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).

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.

Patient outcome in the Belgian medical need program on bevacizumab for recurrent glioblastoma.

Bevacizumab (BEV) has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGB). Given the unmet need for active therapeutic options in rGB patients, a medical need program was initiated by the Belgian competent authorities. Between November 2010 and February 2013, a total of 313 patients with rGB initiated treatment with BEV administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks.