Geriatric Oncology
1. Relationship between aging and cancer
2. Constructs of frailty and multimorbidity
3. Evidence for geriatric assessment in older adults living with cancer
The emerging field of oncogeriatrics, or geriatric oncology, deals with management of cancer in older people. This presentation introduces the area and reviews the evidence base. It also explains how cancer presents and behaves differently in older people.
Cancer-Related Fatigue: How to Address and Manage Itbkling
Fatigue is often one of the most common side effects of breast cancer treatment.
Nancy Stewart, Master’s prepared RN from NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, delves into how to recognize cancer-related fatigue, possible causes, and how to manage it.
For more information, visit our website at sharecancersupport.org or call our Helpline at 844.ASK.SHARE (844.275.7427).
The emerging field of oncogeriatrics, or geriatric oncology, deals with management of cancer in older people. This presentation introduces the area and reviews the evidence base. It also explains how cancer presents and behaves differently in older people.
Cancer-Related Fatigue: How to Address and Manage Itbkling
Fatigue is often one of the most common side effects of breast cancer treatment.
Nancy Stewart, Master’s prepared RN from NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, delves into how to recognize cancer-related fatigue, possible causes, and how to manage it.
For more information, visit our website at sharecancersupport.org or call our Helpline at 844.ASK.SHARE (844.275.7427).
It is all about cancer , risk factors of cancer now days based on strong evidences , it's way of prevention and also includes a new research on melatonin effect on reduction and prevention of many cancers including: Breast, prostate , lung , solid tumor ...etc
eeling worn out and exhausted all the time? You may be experiencing cancer-related fatigue. Tune in to this webinar to learn what cancer-related fatigue is, how to spot it, and how to manage it.
It is an oncologic emergency. This slides contains a brief discussion on mechanism of spinal cord compression , common malignancies presenting with spinal cord compression , approach to a patient with cord compression like features and management this catastrophic situation.
It is all about cancer , risk factors of cancer now days based on strong evidences , it's way of prevention and also includes a new research on melatonin effect on reduction and prevention of many cancers including: Breast, prostate , lung , solid tumor ...etc
eeling worn out and exhausted all the time? You may be experiencing cancer-related fatigue. Tune in to this webinar to learn what cancer-related fatigue is, how to spot it, and how to manage it.
It is an oncologic emergency. This slides contains a brief discussion on mechanism of spinal cord compression , common malignancies presenting with spinal cord compression , approach to a patient with cord compression like features and management this catastrophic situation.
Studies have shown that older women receive less aggressive screening and treatment for breast cancer. Geriatric Oncologist, Meghan Karuturi, of MD Anderson Cancer Center joins us in this webinar to discuss age bias and how it affects older patients.
How general internists can participate in the continuum of care for patients with cancer. (Talk given at Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, St. Elizabeth Hospital, General Santos City, 10 Feb 2021.)
Skin Cancer Screening
IMPORTANT NOTE TO USERS OF WEBSITE & DOCUMENTS POSTED ON SLIDESHARE- Global Medical Cures™ does not offer any medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or recommendations. Only your healthcare provider/physician can offer you information and recommendations for you to decide about your healthcare choices.
www.globalmedicalcures.com
Multidisciplinary Approach to Prostate Cancer and Changes in Treatment Decisi...CrimsonpublishersCancer
In order to demonstrate the impact of multi-disciplinary care in the community oncology setting, we evaluated treatment decisions following the initiation of a dedicated genitourinary multi-disciplinary clinic (GUMDC).
Decision makers in the healthcare field like doctors, patients and policy makers need access to clinical evidence to address issues that have bearing on the health of the population and the treatment prescribed and thereby on the financials implications of the healthcare industry.
The Impact of Lymph Node Dissection on Survival in Intermediate- and High-Ris...semualkaira
Aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) on survival and determine the predictors of lymph node involvement (LNI) in patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) treated with Radical Prostatectomy
The Impact of Lymph Node Dissection on Survival in Intermediate- and High-Ris...semualkaira
Aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) on survival and determine the
predictors of lymph node involvement (LNI) in patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) treated with Radical
Prostatectomy
Everywhere in Europe the survival rate of cancer has improved. As of today, there are around 10 million European cancer survivors of which more than a third are of working age. Although not being a death sentence anymore, cancer risks to remain a life sentence preventing survivors to resume normal life. Research shows a higher unemployment rate in cancer survivors as compared to the cancer-free population. Also, individual testimonies illustrate challenges in obtaining health/life insurance, loans and mortgage.
Using novel individualized algorithms, insurance companies may better define the risk of covering patients with pas history of cancer. Herein is described a novel tool to offer individualized risk assessment for patients with history of cancer.
One aspect of personalized medicine is certain; it is
complicated. If you happen to have a highly scientific
background, you actually may be able to define the term.
However, if you polled five people very familiar with
personalized medicine, you should expect to hear five
different definitions. ISR wanted to understand where oncologists stand on the topic of personalized medicine. We interviewed 101 US based, board-certified oncologists to gather their views on
how familiar they are with personalized medicine, how they
are treating patients, what tests are being used and which
will be used more, and how their patient treatment regimens
could evolve in the future.
The Importance of Community Nursing Care.pdfAD Healthcare
NDIS and Community 24/7 Nursing Care is a specific type of support that may be provided under the NDIS for individuals with complex medical needs who require ongoing nursing care in a community setting, such as their home or a supported accommodation facility.
How many patients does case series should have In comparison to case reports.pdfpubrica101
Pubrica’s team of researchers and writers create scientific and medical research articles, which may be important resources for authors and practitioners. Pubrica medical writers assist you in creating and revising the introduction by alerting the reader to gaps in the chosen study subject. Our professionals understand the order in which the hypothesis topic is followed by the broad subject, the issue, and the backdrop.
https://pubrica.com/academy/case-study-or-series/how-many-patients-does-case-series-should-have-in-comparison-to-case-reports/
CHAPTER 1 SEMESTER V - ROLE OF PEADIATRIC NURSE.pdfSachin Sharma
Pediatric nurses play a vital role in the health and well-being of children. Their responsibilities are wide-ranging, and their objectives can be categorized into several key areas:
1. Direct Patient Care:
Objective: Provide comprehensive and compassionate care to infants, children, and adolescents in various healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, etc.).
This includes tasks like:
Monitoring vital signs and physical condition.
Administering medications and treatments.
Performing procedures as directed by doctors.
Assisting with daily living activities (bathing, feeding).
Providing emotional support and pain management.
2. Health Promotion and Education:
Objective: Promote healthy behaviors and educate children, families, and communities about preventive healthcare.
This includes tasks like:
Administering vaccinations.
Providing education on nutrition, hygiene, and development.
Offering breastfeeding and childbirth support.
Counseling families on safety and injury prevention.
3. Collaboration and Advocacy:
Objective: Collaborate effectively with doctors, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care for children.
Objective: Advocate for the rights and best interests of their patients, especially when children cannot speak for themselves.
This includes tasks like:
Communicating effectively with healthcare teams.
Identifying and addressing potential risks to child welfare.
Educating families about their child's condition and treatment options.
4. Professional Development and Research:
Objective: Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in pediatric healthcare through continuing education and research.
Objective: Contribute to improving the quality of care for children by participating in research initiatives.
This includes tasks like:
Attending workshops and conferences on pediatric nursing.
Participating in clinical trials related to child health.
Implementing evidence-based practices into their daily routines.
By fulfilling these objectives, pediatric nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the optimal health and well-being of children throughout all stages of their development.
R3 Stem Cells and Kidney Repair A New Horizon in Nephrology.pptxR3 Stem Cell
R3 Stem Cells and Kidney Repair: A New Horizon in Nephrology" explores groundbreaking advancements in the use of R3 stem cells for kidney disease treatment. This insightful piece delves into the potential of these cells to regenerate damaged kidney tissue, offering new hope for patients and reshaping the future of nephrology.
ICH Guidelines for Pharmacovigilance.pdfNEHA GUPTA
The "ICH Guidelines for Pharmacovigilance" PDF provides a comprehensive overview of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines related to pharmacovigilance. These guidelines aim to ensure that drugs are safe and effective for patients by monitoring and assessing adverse effects, ensuring proper reporting systems, and improving risk management practices. The document is essential for professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory authorities, and healthcare providers, offering detailed procedures and standards for pharmacovigilance activities to enhance drug safety and protect public health.
CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing tool, holds immense potential to reshape medicine, agriculture, and our understanding of life. But like any powerful tool, it comes with ethical considerations.
Unveiling CRISPR: This naturally occurring bacterial defense system (crRNA & Cas9 protein) fights viruses. Scientists repurposed it for precise gene editing (correction, deletion, insertion) by targeting specific DNA sequences.
The Promise: CRISPR offers exciting possibilities:
Gene Therapy: Correcting genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis.
Agriculture: Engineering crops resistant to pests and harsh environments.
Research: Studying gene function to unlock new knowledge.
The Peril: Ethical concerns demand attention:
Off-target Effects: Unintended DNA edits can have unforeseen consequences.
Eugenics: Misusing CRISPR for designer babies raises social and ethical questions.
Equity: High costs could limit access to this potentially life-saving technology.
The Path Forward: Responsible development is crucial:
International Collaboration: Clear guidelines are needed for research and human trials.
Public Education: Open discussions ensure informed decisions about CRISPR.
Prioritize Safety and Ethics: Safety and ethical principles must be paramount.
CRISPR offers a powerful tool for a better future, but responsible development and addressing ethical concerns are essential. By prioritizing safety, fostering open dialogue, and ensuring equitable access, we can harness CRISPR's power for the benefit of all. (2998 characters)
Explore our infographic on 'Essential Metrics for Palliative Care Management' which highlights key performance indicators crucial for enhancing the quality and efficiency of palliative care services.
This visual guide breaks down important metrics across four categories: Patient-Centered Metrics, Care Efficiency Metrics, Quality of Life Metrics, and Staff Metrics. Each section is designed to help healthcare professionals monitor and improve care delivery for patients facing serious illnesses. Understand how to implement these metrics in your palliative care practices for better outcomes and higher satisfaction levels.
CHAPTER 1 SEMESTER V PREVENTIVE-PEDIATRICS.pdfSachin Sharma
This content provides an overview of preventive pediatrics. It defines preventive pediatrics as preventing disease and promoting children's physical, mental, and social well-being to achieve positive health. It discusses antenatal, postnatal, and social preventive pediatrics. It also covers various child health programs like immunization, breastfeeding, ICDS, and the roles of organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and nurses in preventive pediatrics.
Telehealth Psychology Building Trust with Clients.pptxThe Harvest Clinic
Telehealth psychology is a digital approach that offers psychological services and mental health care to clients remotely, using technologies like video conferencing, phone calls, text messaging, and mobile apps for communication.
Antibiotic Stewardship by Anushri Srivastava.pptxAnushriSrivastav
Stewardship is the act of taking good care of something.
Antimicrobial stewardship is a coordinated program that promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobials (including antibiotics), improves patient outcomes, reduces microbial resistance, and decreases the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.
WHO launched the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) in 2015 to fill knowledge gaps and inform strategies at all levels.
ACCORDING TO apic.org,
Antimicrobial stewardship is a coordinated program that promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobials (including antibiotics), improves patient outcomes, reduces microbial resistance, and decreases the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.
ACCORDING TO pewtrusts.org,
Antibiotic stewardship refers to efforts in doctors’ offices, hospitals, long term care facilities, and other health care settings to ensure that antibiotics are used only when necessary and appropriate
According to WHO,
Antimicrobial stewardship is a systematic approach to educate and support health care professionals to follow evidence-based guidelines for prescribing and administering antimicrobials
In 1996, John McGowan and Dale Gerding first applied the term antimicrobial stewardship, where they suggested a causal association between antimicrobial agent use and resistance. They also focused on the urgency of large-scale controlled trials of antimicrobial-use regulation employing sophisticated epidemiologic methods, molecular typing, and precise resistance mechanism analysis.
Antimicrobial Stewardship(AMS) refers to the optimal selection, dosing, and duration of antimicrobial treatment resulting in the best clinical outcome with minimal side effects to the patients and minimal impact on subsequent resistance.
According to the 2019 report, in the US, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur each year, and more than 35000 people die. In addition to this, it also mentioned that 223,900 cases of Clostridoides difficile occurred in 2017, of which 12800 people died. The report did not include viruses or parasites
VISION
Being proactive
Supporting optimal animal and human health
Exploring ways to reduce overall use of antimicrobials
Using the drugs that prevent and treat disease by killing microscopic organisms in a responsible way
GOAL
to prevent the generation and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Doing so will preserve the effectiveness of these drugs in animals and humans for years to come.
being to preserve human and animal health and the effectiveness of antimicrobial medications.
to implement a multidisciplinary approach in assembling a stewardship team to include an infectious disease physician, a clinical pharmacist with infectious diseases training, infection preventionist, and a close collaboration with the staff in the clinical microbiology laboratory
to prevent antimicrobial overuse, misuse and abuse.
to minimize the developme
Defecation
Normal defecation begins with movement in the left colon, moving stool toward the anus. When stool reaches the rectum, the distention causes relaxation of the internal sphincter and an awareness of the need to defecate. At the time of defecation, the external sphincter relaxes, and abdominal muscles contract, increasing intrarectal pressure and forcing the stool out
The Valsalva maneuver exerts pressure to expel faeces through a voluntary contraction of the abdominal muscles while maintaining forced expiration against a closed airway. Patients with cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, increased intracranial pressure, or a new surgical wound are at greater risk for cardiac dysrhythmias and elevated blood pressure with the Valsalva maneuver and need to avoid straining to pass the stool.
Normal defecation is painless, resulting in passage of soft, formed stool
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Improper diet, reduced fluid intake, lack of exercise, and certain medications can cause constipation. For example, patients receiving opiates for pain after surgery often require a stool softener or laxative to prevent constipation. The signs of constipation include infrequent bowel movements (less than every 3 days), difficulty passing stools, excessive straining, inability to defecate at will, and hard feaces
IMPACTION
Fecal impaction results from unrelieved constipation. It is a collection of hardened feces wedged in the rectum that a person cannot expel. In cases of severe impaction the mass extends up into the sigmoid colon.
DIARRHEA
Diarrhea is an increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, unformed feces. It is associated with disorders affecting digestion, absorption, and secretion in the GI tract. Intestinal contents pass through the small and large intestine too quickly to allow for the usual absorption of fluid and nutrients. Irritation within the colon results in increased mucus secretion. As a result, feces become watery, and the patient is unable to control the urge to defecate. Normally an anal bag is safe and effective in long-term treatment of patients with fecal incontinence at home, in hospice, or in the hospital. Fecal incontinence is expensive and a potentially dangerous condition in terms of contamination and risk of skin ulceration
HEMORRHOIDS
Hemorrhoids are dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum. They are either external or internal.
FLATULENCE
As gas accumulates in the lumen of the intestines, the bowel wall stretches and distends (flatulence). It is a common cause of abdominal fullness, pain, and cramping. Normally intestinal gas escapes through the mouth (belching) or the anus (passing of flatus)
FECAL INCONTINENCE
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control passage of feces and gas from the anus. Incontinence harms a patient’s body image
PREPARATION AND GIVING OF LAXATIVESACCORDING TO POTTER AND PERRY,
An enema is the instillation of a solution into the rectum and sig
One of the most developed cities of India, the city of Chennai is the capital of Tamilnadu and many people from different parts of India come here to earn their bread and butter. Being a metropolitan, the city is filled with towering building and beaches but the sad part as with almost every Indian city
Leading the Way in Nephrology: Dr. David Greene's Work with Stem Cells for Ki...Dr. David Greene Arizona
As we watch Dr. Greene's continued efforts and research in Arizona, it's clear that stem cell therapy holds a promising key to unlocking new doors in the treatment of kidney disease. With each study and trial, we step closer to a world where kidney disease is no longer a life sentence but a treatable condition, thanks to pioneers like Dr. David Greene.
Leading the Way in Nephrology: Dr. David Greene's Work with Stem Cells for Ki...
Geriatric Oncology
1. GERIATRIC ONCOLOGY:
It’s not just about the cancer.
Dr. Camilla Wong, MD FRCPC MHSc
Annual Geriatric Oncology Conference 2019
2. I have no relationships with commercial interests.
I have received research grant funding from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of Ontario
(MOHLTC) for work related to geriatric oncology models of care.
I have received a speaker honorarium from the Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network for a
presentation related to geriatric oncology.
3. 1
Objectives
To evaluate the evidence
for geriatric assessment
in older adults living
with cancer.
To discuss the
relationship between
aging and oncology.
To review how the
constructs of frailty and
multimorbidity impact
cancer management.
2 3
8. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21(8):1618-23.
Older adults are underrepresented in oncology trials.
Older patients accounted for 22% of trial enrollees, compared with 58% of the Canadian population with cancer.
9. disease
dominance
psychosocial
complexity
pharmacokinetics
geriatric syndromes
and frailty
common risk factors
obesity, smoking,
sedentary
older age
breast cancer cardiovascular disease
trastuzumab
anthracycline
q3month
cardiac
monitoring
type 1
cardiomyopathy
type 2
cardiomyopathy
cardiac toxicity
LV dysfunction
caregiver for spouse
with dementia
mild cognitive
impairment
delayed/missed
monitoring
heart failure
functional
decline
falls
delirium
albumin
eGFR
symptomatic
aortic stenosis beta-blocker
ACE inhibitor
statin
The Big Picture
polypharmacy
polypharmacy
multimorbidity
10. There are major changes
with age, even without
superimposed diseases.
Lancet Oncol. 2018 Jun;19(6):e305-e316.
Cancer J. 2005;11(6):449-73.
11. Concordant Conditions
S i m i l a r p a t h o p h y s i o l o g i c p r o f i l e a n d d i s e a s e m a n a g e m e n t p l a n s .
12. Discordant Conditions
N o t d i r e c t l y r e l a t e d i n e i t h e r p a t h o g e n e s i s o r m a n a g e m e n t .
13. Dominant Condition
Identify and treat clinically dominant
conditions that eclipse other less important
conditions, which may be better left alone.
14. T I M E T O B E N E F I T ( T T B )
T h e t i m e u n t i l a s t a t i s t i c a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t b e n e f i t i s o b s e r v e d i n
t r i a l s o f p e o p l e t a k i n g a t h e ra p y c o m p a re d t o a c o n t ro l g ro u p
n o t t a k i n g t h e t h e ra p y.
16. Objectives
To review how the
constructs of frailty and
multimorbidity impact
cancer management.
2
17. Older Canadians are living with major chronic diseases.
Canadian Community Health Survey, 2014
Chronic diseases: cancer,
cardiovascular disease, chronic
respiratory disease, diabetes.
18. Public Health Reviews. 2010;32:451-74.
COMORBIDITY MULTIMORBIDITY
Public Health Reviews 2011;32(2):451-474.
24. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a
multidimensional, interdisciplinary diagnostic
process to determine the medical, psychological,
and functional capabilities of a frail elderly person in
order to develop a coordinated and integrated plan
for treatment and long-term follow-up.
29. “older people who received CGA probably have lower risk of
dying, and that after discharge, were more likely to return to
the same location they lived in before hospital admission”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018,
Issue 1. Art. No.: CD012485
30. GERIATRIC
ASSESSMENT
i s r e c o m m e n d e d b y
s e v e r a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s
J Clin Oncol 2014; 32: 2595-2603.
J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2012; 10(2): 162–209.
Eur J Cancer. 2010;46(9):1502-13.
31. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(22):2326-2347.
“In patients age 65 and older receiving chemotherapy, geriatric assessment
should be used to identify vulnerabilities or geriatric impairments that are not
routinely captured in oncology assessments.”
Evidence quality: high; Strength of recommendation: strong.
38. IMPACT IN ONCOLOGY
Identifies deficits not otherwise detected.
Optimizes non-oncologic domains.
EVIDENCE FOR
GERIATRIC
ASSESSMENT
01
02
03
04
05
39. PREDICTING TOXICITY
Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) Chemo-Toxicity Calculator
Chemotherapy Risk Assessment Scale for High-Age Patients (CRASH) score
40. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(25):3457–3465.
Karnofsky performance status
%chemotoxicity
Classic oncology tools like the Karnofsky performance
status poorly predict chemotoxicity in older adults.
44. IMPACT IN ONCOLOGY
Identifies deficits not otherwise detected.
Optimizes non-oncologic domains.
Increases the precision of prognostication.
EVIDENCE FOR
GERIATRIC
ASSESSMENT
01
02
03
04
05
45. 28%
of initial oncologic treatment
plans were modified based on the
information from the geriatric assessment
of which the majority resulted in
less intensive options: different
modality/regimen, dose reduction, best
supportive care
J Geriatr Oncol. 2018;9(5):430-440.
46. IMPACT IN ONCOLOGY
Identifies deficits not otherwise detected.
Optimizes non-oncologic domains.
Increases the precision of prognostication.
Influences oncologic treatment intensity.
EVIDENCE FOR
GERIATRIC
ASSESSMENT
01
02
03
04
05
47. J Geriatr Oncol. 2018;9(5):430-440.
TOX I C I T Y O R C O M P L I C AT I O N S
5 studies found a decrease
4 studies found no effect
T R E AT M E N T C O M P L E T I O N
3 studies found higher rates
1 study found no effect
48. IMPACT IN ONCOLOGY
Identifies deficits not otherwise detected.
Optimizes non-oncologic domains.
Increases the precision of prognostication.
Influences chemotherapy intensity.
May improve treatment completion and
chemotherapy tolerance.
EVIDENCE FOR
GERIATRIC
ASSESSMENT
01
02
03
04
05
49. “In ONCOLOGY, personalized treatment often begins with
the tumour, its pathology, genetics and staging, which are
incorporated in algorithms that yield treatment
recommendations; the next step will then be to assess
whether the patient is suitable for the treatment.
A GERIATRIC approach to personalized treatment often
starts at the other end, with an emphasis on the patient's
health status, individual goals of care and physical strengths
and limitations; subsequently, it is assessed whether the
treatment is suitable for the patient.”
J Geriatr Oncol. 2019. [Epub ahead of print]
51. “If you want to go fast, go alone;
if you want to go far go
TOGETHER”
-- African Proverb
52. 1. The proportion of older adults in clinical
trials should reflect the population.
2. Trials should include older adults with
both cancer and frailty.
3. Trials of geriatric oncology collaborative
care models should report frailty and
patient-oriented outcomes.
End ageism.
Embrace complexity.
Focus on what matters.
I have no relationships with commercial interests. However, I have received grant funding from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of Ontario for research related to geriatric oncology model of care and have received a speaker honorarium from the Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network for a presentation related to geriatric oncology.
Older adults, in general, for this presentation will mean 65+
Why is cancer more common in older adults? Cancer is more common in older adults for multiple reasons:
The accumulation of mutations along an extended lifespan
Reduced fitness of intracellular mechanisms that protect from cancer
A pro-tumorigenic tissue environment
Immunosuppression
And yet, in spite of this demographic and biologic imperative, older adults remain under-represented in oncology trials, accounting for only 22% of trial participants even though they represent 58% of the Canadian population living with cancer. The lack of inclusion in clinical trials and lack of outcome measures reflecting end points of importance to older people is a form of ageism that unfortunately leaves clinicians with little evidence on how to help treat older adults living with cancer.
Let’s consider this example. [case flow diagram]
Becoming familiar with age-related physiologic changes is the first step for tailoring treatments.
Reduction in fat-free muscle mass alters drug distribution.
Age-related changes in hepatic mass reduces drug metabolism.
Renal mass and glomerular filtration rate decrease with age, affecting the clearance of many drugs.
Bioavailability is dependent on gastrointestinal motility, splanchnic blood flow, digestive enzyme activity. With age, there is decreased drug absorption.
Pacemaker and conduction pathway degeneration, valvular stiffening, myocyte hypertrophy primarily lead to reduction of the cardiac functional reserve, with a consequent increase in the risk of drug-related cardiomyoppathy.
Age-related decrease in pulmonary reserve, such as reduced lung compliance, make result in ineligibility for curative surgical resection or at least have implications for thoracic radiation.
Changes in memory increase the likelihood of developing delirium with treatment.
Bone density declines with age and treatments such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and aromatase inhibitors can further increase fracture risk.
Age-related changes in the immune system lead to an increased susceptibility to infection in the elderly.
Bone marrow cellularity decreases with age, increasing the risk of developing anemia with consequent fatigue.
All this to say that age-associated changes results in a diminished ability to tolerate the physiological stressors of chemotherapy.
Most clinical practice guidelines address single diseases in accordance with modern medicine’s focus on disease and pathophysiology. When we practice in the silos of our subspecialty, the management of concordant conditions is not necessarily problematic.
But more often than not, the patient has discordant or competing conditions whereby practicing in silos, may be problematic.
The tricky part for frail individuals is that treatment of one condition can exacerbate other conditions that do not lead to net health improvements. The suggested management strategy is to identify and treat clinically dominant conditions that eclipse other less important conditions, which may be better left alone.
Time to benefit: Many cancers in older adults are slower growing and may not contribute to morbidity and mortality. The timeline for developing late toxicities may not be within individual’s life expectancy. Thus, for many older adults with competing causes of death, the goal of treatment needs to extend beyond survival to include gains in quality of life (QoL), symptom control, and preservation of function.
In embracing complexity, we need to see the forest for the trees. Moving from “What is the matter?” to “What Matters to You?”
We’d be remiss to discuss geriatric oncology only in the context of simply aging. Chronological age alone is often a poor indicator of the physiological and functional status of older adults, and thus should not be the main factor guiding treatment decisions in oncology.
Older Canadians are living with major chronic diseases – but not all of them are. Aging is heterogeneous.
A co-morbidity framework looks at the index disease as centre of interest whereby only interaction with the index disease is assumed. A multimorbidity framework, on the other hand, looks at multiple interactions between chronic conditions.
While “the more individuals have wrong with them, the more likely they are to be frail”, it is important to realize that frailty is not synonymous with getting older, nor is it the inevitable result of aging or multimorbidity.
Frailty is broadly considered as decreased physiologic reserve across multiple organ systems leading to an impaired ability to withstand physiologic stress. On the x-axis you have time, and on the y-axis is level of function. In the green is the trajectory of someone who is fit, while in the red is the trajectory of an older adult who is frail. Frailty makes it difficult for individuals to respond to the acute stress of illness, such as cancer or cancer treatment.
In a systematic review of 20 studies, more than half of older adults living with cancer have pre-frailty or frailty and these individuals are at increased risk of chemotherapy intolerance, postoperative complications, and mortality.
In other words, ascertaining and addressing frailty matters. Although over treatment is a concern, older adults may also be undertreated because of potentially ‘ageist’ attitudes.
The gold standard for ascertaining and managing frailty is the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), the cornerstone of modern geriatric care. A CGA is a multidimensional interdisciplinary diagnostic process focused on determining a frail older person’s medical, psychological and functional capabilities in order to develop a coordinated and integrated plan for treatment and long-term follow-up.
I will not go into details of what domains are part of a geriatric assessment nor will I discuss how to conduct a CGA as Dr. Alibhai will be addressing this in the following session.
One of the reasons I love geriatrics because it allows me to practice medicine the way I want to practice medicine, holistically. Looking after the mind, mobility, medications, multicomplexity and what matters most.
It is a process that results in therapeutic harmonization – the alignment of prognosis and goals with the care that we provide.
The comprehensive geriatric assessment is evidence-based two. A Cochrane systematic review of 29 RCTs from 9 countries showed that when older adults receive a CGA compared to usual care, they are not only more likely to be alive at discharge but also be able to return home.
And similarly, another Cochrane systematic review of 8 RCTs in surgical settings came to the same conclusion – more likely to be alive and at home at discharge.
In fact, several oncology societies have recommended that all older patients receive some sort of geriatric assessment.
Including ASCO, which in 2018 made a strong recommendation based on high quality of evidence that In patients age 65 and older receiving chemotherapy, geriatric assessment should be used to identify vulnerabilities or geriatric impairments that are not routinely captured in oncology assessments. And note that the terminology is geriatric assessment, not comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Geriatric assessment alone is not an intervention in itself, but rater aims to identify opportunities for intervention. A CGA on the other hand, includes goal-directed intervention and follow-through. The latter has the potential to evaluate the balance of benefits and harms of performing or omitting specific interventions.
In 2014 systematic review of 10 observational cohort studies the prevalence of geriatric conditions as identified by geriatric assessment is shown in this table. The most frequent issue detected was polypharmacy or inappropriate medication use, present in a median of 67%, followed by malnutrition with a median prevalence of 63%. The take home point is geriatric conditions are common, and unless you ask, you won’t know.
In an updated systematic review in 2018 of 35 studies, geriatric assessment resulted in non-oncologic interventions in a median of 72% of patients (range 26–100%), most commonly involving social issues (39%), nutritional status (32%) and polypharmacy (31%).
A super interesting area in geriatric oncology is unimodal or multimodal prehabilitation interventions improve health outcomes, but you will have to go to Drs. Santamina and Chesney session later to find out more.
So we now understand that chronological age alone is often a poor indicator of the physiological and functional status of older adults, and thus should not be the main factor guiding treatment decisions in oncology.
The argument then follows that classic oncology tools like the Karnofsky performance status poorly predict chemotoxicity in older adults because they fail to capture frailty. There are at least two chemotoxicity prediction tools used in older adults, the details of which will be covered in the afternoon session by Drs. Menjak and Haase.
The first is the CRASH score and you can see it integrates results from geriatric assessment tools that capture function, nutrition, and cognition to better predict the risk of hematologic (p=.005) and nonhematologic (p>.05) toxicity in older adults 70+.
The second is the CARG ChemoTox calculator which is a predictive model consisting of 11 items, of which five are geriatric variables. This tool takes 5 minutes to complete and is freely available online for use on the CARG website.
It too discriminates chemotherapy toxicity risk in older adults with solid tumors better than the Karnofsky in those 65+. This is all to say that geriatric variables increase the predictive precision of which older adult will do well or be harmed by chemotherapy.
11 studies comparing oncologic treatment choice before and after the geriatric evaluation. The median proportion of patients in which the oncologic treatment was changed after the geriatric evaluation was 28% (range 8–54%). For the majority of patients, treatment was adjusted to a less intensive option: different type of treatment modality or regimen, dose reductions or best supportive care/no oncologic treatment. Only one study reported that the majority of changes resulted in a more intensive treatment option.
In a systematic review on the effect of geriatric evaluation on treatment outcome, including 8 RCTs, and 5 studies using a historic or matched control cohort; 5 studies found a positive effect and 4 found no effect on treatment toxicity or complications; 3 out of 4 studies found that geriatric assessment resulted in higher treatment completion rates. The effect on survival, health care utilisation, physical functioning and quality of life appears limited.
Future Directions in Geriatric Oncology should include:
1. The proportion of older patients in clinical trials to reflect the population (end AGEISM!)
2. Trials should include older adults with both cancer and frailty (embrace complexity)
3. Trials of geriatric oncology collaborative care models should report frailty and patient-oriented outcomes (what matters).