title: Can older cancer patients tolerate chemotherapy? A prospective pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To the authors' knowledge, few data currently are available regarding the tolerance to chemotherapy in older cancer patients. This prospective pilot study evaluated the changes in functional, mental, nutritional, and comorbid status, as well as the quality of life (QOL), in geriatric oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients age > or = 70 years who were undergoing cancer chemotherapy were recruited in a university-based comprehensive cancer center. Changes in physical function were measured by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), mental health changes were measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), comorbidity was measured by Charlson's index and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric, nutrition was measured by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). Changes were assessed at baseline and at the end of treatment (EOT). Grade 4 hematologic and Grade 3-4 nonhematologic toxicities were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven patients (63%) completed both assessments. Older cancer patients demonstrated a significant decline in measurements of physical function after receiving chemotherapy, as indicated by changes in scores on the IADL (P = 0.04) and on the physical (P = 0.01) and functional (P = 0.03) subscales of the FACT-G. They also displayed worse scores on the GDS administered postchemotherapy (P < 0.01). Patients who experienced severe chemotoxicity had more significant declines in ECOG PS (P = 0.03), IADL (P = 0.03), and GDS (P = 0.04), and more gain in the social well-being subscale (P = 0.02) of the FACT-G, than those who did not experience severe chemotoxicity. However, changes in most scores were small in magnitude clinically. No significant change was found between baseline and EOT in nutrition, comorbidity, and other aspects of the FACT-G.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience toxicity but generally can tolerate it with limited impact on independence, comorbidity, and QOL levels. It is important to recognize and monitor these changes during geriatric oncology treatment.
authors.affiliation: Senior Adult Oncology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Hongbin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cantor
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beth Corcoran
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grendys
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cavanaugh
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antonek
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camarata
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.forename: Lodovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balducci
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Extermann
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents