Studies of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Background. The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been developed to individually assess the health status of older patients. Methods: This article reviews the findings regarding the impact of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) on treatment and outcomes in patients with cancer. Results: Several geriatric variables have been linked with the prognosis of older cancer patients, thus challenging the role of ECOG performance status in this population. A CGA may detect multiple untreated or undertreated problems in cancer patients. Although results are preliminary, some studies suggest that CGA may influence cancer treatment decisions and have a prognostic impact on patients with this disease. Conclusions: More work is needed to simplify such assessments to make them more feasible and to determine when they should be used during a patient's clinical course.