Addressing the quality of life needs of older patients with cancer: a SIOG consensus paper and practical guide

Abstract

Around 60% of people living with cancer are aged 65 years or older. Older cancer patients face a unique set of age-associated changes, comorbidities and circumstances that impact on their quality of life (QoL) in ways that are different from those affecting younger patients. A Task Force of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology recommends and encourages all healthcare professionals involved in cancer care to place greater focus on the QoL of older people living with cancer. This paper summarizes current thinking on the key issues of importance to addressing QoL needs of older cancer patients and makes a series of recommendations, together with practical guidance.

Age favoured overall survival in a large population-based Danish patient cohort treated with anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor for metastatic melanoma

“…Regarding age cut-point, 70 years of age was chosen, based on a definition from International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) [6,7]. This definition has been adapted at Odense University Hospital, Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), establishing the chronological definition of being old at 70 years of age.…”

Outcomes based on age in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with first line targeted therapy or checkpoint immunotherapy: Older patients more prone to toxicity

“…The specific age cut-offs for analysis were selected according to the median age at the time of diagnosis of mRCC, the distribution of age in a clinical setting, and recommendations in prior reviews [13][14][15]. Age was used as a categorial variable with stratification into binary age groups < 75 vs. ≥ 75 years and in decennium subgroups (age < 50, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, ≥ 80 years).…”

<p>Medication Reconciliation Associated with Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with Cancer: ChimioAge Study</p>

“… 11 , 12 In this particular context, the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) recently recommended establishing close cooperation with pharmacists as part of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) 13 in order to review prescriptions of older patients with cancer and avoid adverse side effects of treatment. 14 This pharmaceutical intervention is called comprehensive medication reconciliation (CMR) 15 , 16 and the clinical pharmacist is fully integrated into the multidisciplinary team. 17 The ChimioAge study was implemented in our hospital in January 2017, to evaluate the impact of the association CGA-CMR on the oncological management of older cancer patients.…”