Geriatric interventions in oncology

Abstract

Cancer care for older adults is complex. Frequently older adults have coexisting medical and social issues that complicate cancer treatment and require additional attention. A geriatric assessment (GA) can aid in detecting concurrent medical, psychological, and social issues and has been shown to be feasible in the oncology setting. Results of the GA can be used to develop goal-directed interventions for impairments that are detected. Although the development of GA-based management interventions is common practice by geriatricians in the non-cancer population, it is not yet routine practice for older adults with cancer. Emerging data in small, pilot studies suggest that it is feasible to develop GA-guided management interventions in the oncology setting, although the optimal model for care delivery and potential benefit of such interventions remains unclear. Multiple ongoing studies are evaluating the benefit of GA-guided management interventions for older adults with cancer. In this chapter, the role of GA in oncology with resultant GA-based management interventions is reviewed.