title: Integrating a geriatric evaluation in the clinical setting.
abstract: Older cancer patients-which make the majority of cancer patients-present with a highly heterogeneous health status. Therefore, a careful assessment of the individual's condition is important in the planning of their oncologic care. In this article, a two-step approach is recommended: a short screening test of every patient presenting for treatment, and a multidisciplinary evaluation for patients screening at risk. Several screening tools that have been tested are described, and their relative performance is reviewed: the abbreviated Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, the G8, the Senior Adult Oncology Program 2 questionnaire, the Triage Risk Screening Tool, the Vulnerable Elders Survey 13 tool, the Groeningen Frailty Index, and the Onco-Geriatric Screening Tool. Indeed, regular multidisciplinary meetings are key to optimal management of elderly patients, as they modify treatment plans in ¼ to ½ of patients. A practical way of implementing a multidisciplinary consultation is reviewed, and future directions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Electronic address: martine.extermann@moffitt.org
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Extermann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D019468:Disease Management; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014218:Triage