Clin-STAR Corner: Practice Changing Advances at the Interface of Oncology and Geriatrics

Abstract

Cancer and aging are inextricably linked, and older adults are a significant proportion of those diagnosed, treated, and living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Several large prospective studies have enhanced our understanding of how to improve the assessment, treatment, and outcomes of older adults with cancer starting therapy. This article summarizes three recent high-impact trials that produced practice-changing implications for the management of older adults with cancer that led to guideline updates. The key findings from these trials highlight that geriatric assessment-guided interventions in older adults with cancer: (1) facilitated higher rates of chemotherapy completion at planned doses with less modification among patients, (2) reduced grade 3 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicity during treatment delivery among patients of all stages of cancer receiving chemotherapy, and (3) influenced treatment decisions among advanced cancer patients receiving supportive care leading to reduced toxicity through reduced intensity of therapy without compromise of survival.