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Introduction: We evaluated the effect of the inclusion of a geriatrician in the multidisciplinary cancer team (MDT) on decision-making for chemotherapy with curative intent in older patients with colorectal cancer., Materials and Methods: We audited all patients aged 70 years and older with colorectal cancer discussed at MDT meetings between January 2010 and July 2018; selection was limited to those patients for whom guidelines recommended chemotherapy with curative intent as part of the primary treatment. We assessed how treatment decisions came about, and what the course of treatment was in the period before (2010-2013) and after (2014-2018) the geriatrician joined the MDT meetings., Results: There were 157 patients included: 80 patients from 2010 to 2013 and 77 patients from 2014 to 2018. Age was mentioned significantly less often as the reason to withhold chemotherapy in the 2014-2018 cohort (10% vs 27% in 2010-2013, p = 0.04). Instead, patient preferences, physical condition, and comorbidities were the main reasons stated for withholding chemotherapy. Although a similar proportion of patients started chemotherapy in both cohorts, patients treated in 2014-2018 required many fewer treatment adaptations and were thus more likely to complete their treatments as planned., Discussion: Over time and by incorporating a geriatrician's input, the multidisciplinary selection of older patients with colorectal cancer for chemotherapy with curative intent has improved. By basing decisions on an assessment of the patient's ability to tolerate treatment rather than using a more general parameter such as age, both overtreatment of not-so-fit patients and undertreatment of fit-but-old patients can be prevented., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organizations or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: In addition to classical endpoints such as survival and complication rates, other outcomes such as quality of life and functional status are increasingly recognized as important endpoints, especially for elderly patients. However, little is known about the long-term effect of surgery with regard to these other outcomes. Our aim is to investigate the functional status and self-reported health status of patients ≥ 70 years one year after surgery for head and neck cancer., Methods: We present one-year follow-up data of patients ≥ 70 year who underwent surgery for HNC. During an interview by telephone, functional status was evaluated by using the Katz-15 Index of Independence questionnaire including six items covering basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and nine items covering Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Measurements were compared with those obtained preoperatively., Results: In total, 126 patients were included and eventually we collected follow-up data of 68 patients. There was a statistically significant decrease in functional status on the total Katz-15 and on the IADL questionnaire scores one year after surgery (mean 1.34 versus 2.42,p-value 0.00 and mean 1.21 versus 1.94,p-value 0.00). There was no significant change concerning ADL dependence (p-value 0.18) and cognitive status (p-value 0.11). The self-reported health status improved postoperatively, although not statistically significantly so (mean 67.36 versus 71.25,p-value 0.12)., Conclusion: Approximately-one year after surgery for HNC, there is a significant decline in functional status indicating a higher level of dependency., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Malnourishment is commonly seen in ageing, cancer and many chronic conditions, and is associated with poorer prognosis., Aim: We set out to collect all currently available evidence on the association between nutritional status assessed with a validated screening tool and prognosis or course of treatment in older patients with cancer, and on the benefit of nutritional interventions in improving these outcomes., Methods: A systematic search in MEDLINE and EMBASE., Results: We included 71 studies on the association between nutritional status and outcome in (older) patients with cancer and 17 studies on the benefit of nutritional interventions in improving outcomes in this patient population. There is a significant association between nutritional status and increased intermediate- and long-term mortality (hazard ratio 1.87 (95% confidence interval 1.62-2.17). Those with poorer nutritional status were less likely to complete oncologic treatment according to plan and had higher health care consumption. Benefit of dietary interventions was limited although dietary counselling may lead to improved quality of life while nutritional support may lead to a decrease in post-operative complication rates., Conclusion: Nutritional status is associated with poorer survival, decreased treatment completion and higher health care consumption and nutritional interventions are only able to negate these negatives outcome to a very limited degree., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The G8 is a widely used frailty screening tool in patients with cancer that was designed to be completed by healthcare professionals. A patient-reported version would enable a broader application. Aim of this study was to develop a self-reported version of the G8 and to assess its agreement with the original G8., Materials and Methods: A self-reported version of the G8 was developed with the aid of communication specialists. Patients aged ≥ 70 years from two different study populations were included: 1. Patients with cancer and 2. Patients visiting the geriatric outpatient clinic. The original G8 was completed by an oncology nurse or clinical research assistant and patients completed the self-reported G8. Patients were blinded to results of the original G8. Kappas were calculated to measure the agreement between the self-reported and original G8 for both the individual items as well as for the cut-off for potential frailty (≤14)., Results: 161 patients participated, of whom 104 had cancer (65%). Patients with cancer more frequently completed all items than geriatric patients (all items completed in 94% versus 72%, p < 0.001). The agreement for potential frailty was substantial for patients with cancer (Kappa 0.63) and poor for geriatric patients (Kappa 0.05)., Conclusion: Completion of the self-reported G8 is feasible and agreement of its outcome with the original G8 outcome is sufficient for patients with cancer but not for geriatric patients. The self-reported G8 may therefore be a useful alternative to the original G8 in older patients with cancer., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)