Frailty indicators in older cancer patients

The number of patients over 70 years old with cancer is growing. Chronological age provides limited information about tolerance for cancer treatment and life expectancy. We wanted to study frailty indicators of potential importance for making choices about therapy and the need for cross-disciplinary assessment for cancer patients aged ≥ 70 at an oncology outpatients clinic.

The study is a retrospective survey based on medical records of initial consultations for patients aged ≥ 70 at the Department of Oncology, Drammen Hospital, in 2017. Medication use, comorbidity and the results of the Geriatric 8 (G-8) screening tool were recorded.

The median number of drugs taken regularly was four for the 235 patients aged ≥ 70 who were initially assessed in 2017. Cardiovascular disease was recorded in 101 patients (43 %), impaired renal function in 47 (20 %), pulmonary disease in 37 (16 %) and diabetes in 25 (11 %). A total score of < 15 was obtained for 100 (69 %) of the 144 patients scored by means of Geriatric 8, which indicates potential frailty.

Frailty indicators of potential importance for the choice of treatment and follow-up are frequently seen in older cancer patients.