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Onco-Geriatric Approach for the Management of Older Patients with Cancer
- Source :
-
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association . Feb2011, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p153-159. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Introduction and Rationale: The number of older cancer patients is increasing with global aging of the population. A close interaction between oncologists and geriatricians becomes necessary to (1) better evaluate the elders’ health status, (2) determine their residual clinical/biological reserves, and (3) optimize the provided medical care. In fact, aggressive antineoplastic managements are often denied to older patients, possibly because of the common misconception suggesting older age and/or clinical complexity as absolute contraindications to advanced treatments. Methods: The primary aim of the presented project is to assess whether assigning a geriatrician to provide daily medical care to older cancer patients (aged 65 years and older) admitted to an oncology ward increases the number of patients eligible for a chemotherapeutic and/or surgical intervention. The project is articulated in 2 phases: (1) a retrospective phase based on analysis of data collected over the 2 years before the beginning of the study, and (2) a prospective 2-year intervention. Additional information about clinical conditions, biological parameters, adverse drug reactions, body composition, physical function, and 1-year health-related events will also be recorded. Outcomes: The combination of expertise from oncologists and geriatricians is likely to result in (1) an improved selection of candidates for interventions aimed at increasing disability-free life expectancy and/or overall survival, and (2) a more rational exclusion of patients at higher risk of toxicity or with poor prognosis. In this article, the development of an onco-geriatric unit aimed at the evaluation, management, and treatment of older women with gynecological cancer is also described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *ACADEMIC medical centers
*OLDER people
*ELDER care
*BIOMARKERS
*CANCER chemotherapy
*CANCER patients
*CANCER patient medical care
*COMPARATIVE studies
*DEPRESSION in old age
*DIAGNOSIS
*DRUG utilization
*DRUG side effects
*EPIDEMIOLOGY
*GERIATRICIANS
*HEALTH care teams
*HOSPITAL wards
*LONGITUDINAL method
*EVALUATION of medical care
*HEALTH outcome assessment
*PSYCHOLOGICAL tests
*RESEARCH funding
*X-ray densitometry in medicine
*STATISTICAL power analysis
*DATA analysis
*PERFORMANCE evaluation
*MULTIPLE regression analysis
*BODY mass index
*TREATMENT effectiveness
*RETROSPECTIVE studies
*PATIENT selection
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15258610
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 57543935
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2010.06.008