Are older patients with cervical cancer managed differently to younger patients? An international survey

Abstract

Although a quarter of cervical cancers occur after the age of 65 years, there is no treatment consensus for these patients. The aim of this work was to survey how physicians treat patients with advanced cervical cancer, focusing on treatment adjustments according to age and frailty status. Specialists were invited to an online survey. Data collected included information on respondent and treatment strategy in four cases (FIGO IIb, FIGO IVa, FIGO IVb, metastatic recurrence) with three age scenarios (45-year-old, 75-year-old and fit, 75-year-old and unfit). We received 237 responses of which 117 were fully completed. Thirty-four percent of respondents reported they had available access to a geriatric team and 25% used a frailty screening tool in routine. Therapeutic strategies did not differ between young and old fit patients. However, treatment modalities and intensity were different for old and unfit patients. Physicians answered that they would treat old fit patients as their younger counterparts but would reduce treatment intensity for old unfit patients. However, even if they were willing to adapt their treatment strategy based on frailty status, most of them do not use the tools that would allow distinguishing “fit” and “unfit” older patients, leaving room for improving accurate geriatric evaluation.