[From the Perspective of a Geriatrician]

Area of Science:

• Geriatric oncology
• Clinical geriatrics
• Cancer treatment outcomes

Context:

• Older adults undergoing cancer treatment face risks beyond clinical factors, including physical/mental impairments and social background.
• Conventional pre-treatment evaluations may not fully capture risks for older patients.
• Geriatric assessment, including comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)/geriatric assessment (GA) and physical function assessment, is crucial for older cancer patients.

Purpose:

• To highlight the necessity of geriatric evaluations in older cancer patients.
• To emphasize the potential benefits of geriatric interventions for frail patients.
• To advocate for multidisciplinary collaboration in geriatric oncology.

Summary:

• Physical, mental, and social factors significantly impact prognosis and life expectancy in older cancer patients.
• Geriatric assessments (CGA/GA, physical function) are vital for predicting complications, survival, and quality of life (QOL).
• While geriatric interventions for frailty may improve outcomes, evidence is limited, necessitating further research.

Impact:

• Geriatric assessment can identify older patients who may benefit from tailored interventions, improving treatment or postoperative prognosis and QOL.
• Recognizing 'frailty' in geriatric oncology, distinct from but related to geriatrics, helps avoid overtreatment.
• Establishing multidisciplinary geriatric oncology teams is essential for routine assessments and interventions.