Author of

• 12313

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  O26 - Support and Palliation II (ID 140)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Oral Abstract Session
  • Track: Nurses
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:J. White, Y. Lai
  • Coordinates: 10/29/2013, 16:15 - 17:45, Bayside 104, Level 1

  • 12319

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    O26.06 - Impact of geriatric assessment on treatment decisions in older lung cancer patients. (ID 1419)

    17:10 - 17:20  |  Author(s): L. Decoster
    • Abstract
    • Presentation
    • Slides

    Background
    This study aims to investigate the influence of a geriatric assessment (GA) on cancer treatment decisions in older lung cancer patients (pts). We also studied the changes in functionality during treatment and the occurrence of severe chemotherapy-related toxicity.

    Methods
    For this analysis, we selected the lung cancer cohort that was part of a larger study on GA in older cancer pts in 6 tumor types in two Belgian university hospitals[1]. Between July 2009 and September 2011, pts aged 70 years or older with a newly diagnosed or progressive lung cancer were evaluated at baseline using a uniform GA including geriatric screening with G8 and the Flemish Triage Risk Screening Tool (fTRST), pain, social data, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), fall history, Mobility-Tiredness Test (MOB-T), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), ECOG-Performance Status (ECOG-PS), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and poly-pharmacy assessment. GA results were communicated to the treating physician and, after the treatment decision, the physician was interviewed using a predefined questionnaire focusing on unknown geriatric problems revealed by GA and impact on cancer treatment decisions. Between two and three months of follow-up, functionality was reassessed and severe toxicity in pts receiving chemotherapy was recorded.

    Results
    Seventy three lung cancer pts were included with a median age of 76 years; 82.2% were non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 74% were stage IV. Treatment was modified from standard according to standard clinical assessment (including age) in 56.1%. GA revealed unknown geriatric problems in 25.8% of cases, leading to a geriatric intervention in 10.6%. 30% of physicians consulted the GA before final treatment decision and in three pts (4%) only this led to a modification of the proposed treatment: dose reduction, no chemotherapy or no radiotherapy. At follow up (n=50), functional decline was observed in 24% and 54% of pts for ADL and IADL, respectively. Grade III-IV toxicity occurred in 14/42 pts treated with chemotherapy (33%), mainly non-haematological (64%).

    Conclusion
    This analysis indicates that the treatment of older lung cancer pts is often influenced (deviated from standard) by standard clinical assessment and age. Although GA revealed previously unknown information in 25.8% of pts, only a minority of physicians consulted these results before the final cancer treatment decision. There was little impact on geriatric intervention and even less on cancer treatment decision. This discrepancy reveals the need to get physicians treating lung cancer acquainted with GA and geriatric interventions in an attempt to decrease chemotherapy related toxicity and improve quality of care. Further evaluation of GA and geriatric interventions in larger pt groups as well as their implementation in clinical practice is warranted.

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