Too Old to Care?

A scoping review of ageism towards older adults in cancer care

INTRODUCTION

Ageism towards older adults with cancer may impact treatment decisions, healthcare interactions, and shape health/psychosocial outcomes. The purpose of this review is twofold: (1) To synthesize the literature on ageism towards older adults with cancer in oncology and (2) To identify interventions that address ageism in the healthcare context applicable to oncology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a scoping review following Arksey and O'Malley and Levac methods and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We conducted an exhaustive multi-database search, screening 30,926 titles/abstracts. Following data abstraction, we conducted tabular, narrative, and textual synthesis.

RESULTS

We extracted data on 133 papers. Most (n = 44) were expert opinions, reviews, and letters to editors highlighting the negative impacts of ageism, expressing the need for approaches addressing heterogeneity of older adults, and calling for increased clinical trial inclusion for older adults. Qualitative studies (n = 3) described healthcare professionals' perceived influence of age on treatment recommendations, whereas quantitative studies (n = 32) were inconclusive as to whether age-related bias impacted treatment recommendations/outcomes or survival. Intervention studies (n = 54) targeted ageism in pre/post-licensure healthcare professionals and reported participants' improvement in knowledge and/or attitudes towards older adults. No interventions were found that had been implemented in oncology.

DISCUSSION

Concerns relating to ageism in cancer care are consistently described in the literature. Interventions exist to address ageism; however, none have been developed or tested in oncology settings. Addressing ageism in oncology will require integration of geriatric knowledge/interventions to address conscious and unconscious ageist attitudes impacting care and outcomes. Interventions hold promise if tailored for cancer care settings. 249/250.

A multinational investigation of healthcare needs, preferences, and expectations in supportive cancer care: co-creating the LifeChamps digital platform

Purpose

This study is to evaluate healthcare needs, preferences, and expectations in supportive cancer care as perceived by cancer survivors, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Methods

Key stakeholders consisted of cancer survivors diagnosed with breast cancer, prostate cancer, or melanoma; adult family caregivers; and healthcare professionals involved in oncology. Recruitment was via several routes, and data were collected via either online surveys or telephone interviews in Greece, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Framework analysis was applied to the dataset.

Results

One hundred and fifty-five stakeholders participated: 70 cancer survivors, 23 family caregivers, and 62 healthcare professionals (13 clinical roles). Cancer survivors and family caregivers’ needs included information and support on practical/daily living, as frustration was apparent with the lack of follow-up services. Healthcare professionals agreed on a multidisciplinary health service with a “focus on the patient” and availability closer to home. Most healthcare professionals acknowledged that patient-reported outcomes may provide “better individualised care”. Cancer survivors and family caregivers generally felt that the digital platform would be useful for timely personalised support and aided communication. Healthcare professionals were supportive of the “proactive” functionality of the platform and the expected advantages. Anticipated challenges were integration obstacles such as workload/infrastructure and training/support in using the new technology.

Conclusions

Obtaining key stakeholders’ insights provided a foundation for action to further co-create the LifeChamps digital platform to meet needs and priorities and deliver enhanced supportive care to “older” cancer survivors.

Implications for cancer survivors

Co-creation provided insight into gaps where digital support may enhance health and well-being.

Cost Analysis of Cancer in Brazil: A Population-Based Study of Patients Treated by Public Health System From 2001-2015

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the federal government expenditures with oncological care, for the most incident cancer types among the Brazilian population, using registries of all patients treated by the Brazilian National Health Service (SUS) between 2001 and 2015. We adopted the formal healthcare sector perspective in this study, with the costs per patient estimated by the reimbursement price paid by the Ministry of Health to service providers.

METHODS

The costs were adjusted by the follow-up time for each patient. We performed multivariate regression analysis using ordinary least squares. We analyzed 952 960 patients aged ≥19 years who underwent cancer treatment, between 2001 and 2015, for breast, prostate, colorectal, cervix, lung, and stomach cancers.

RESULTS

The annual mean costs per patient (in USD purchasing power parity) was $9572.30, varying from $5782.10 for breast cancer to $16 656 for cervical cancer. Several variables predicted higher costs of cancer treatment, namely: to be male (+14%), with younger age ranges at treatment initiation, resident in the Northeast region (+26%), treated for colorectal cancer (+482%), with treatment initiation from 2010 to 2014, tumor stages III and IV (III: +182%; IV: +165%), hospitalization for other reasons besides the cancer treatment, and suffering from some a comorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the forthcoming Brazilian demographic changes, which strongly suggest that the economic burden of cancer is about to increase in the near future, our estimates provide relevant information to produce useful projections about future cancer-related costs.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy can be indicated for elderly patients: risk prediction using the estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress (E-PASS) system

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticobiliary malignant diseases are primarily treated by surgical resection. However, the surgical indications for elderly patients, especially for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), must be carefully considered due to patient compliance. Whether PD can contribute to better prognoses in elderly patients remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the complications, compliance, and survival of elderly and non-elderly patients who underwent PD in our department.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 282 patients who underwent PD from 2000 to 2017 and divided them into non-elderly (aged ≤ 79 years, n = 238) and elderly (aged ≥ 80 years, n = 44) groups. The estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress (E-PASS) system was used to evaluate morbidity and mortality using preoperative risk score (PRS), surgical stress score (SSS), and comprehensive risk score (CRS).

RESULTS

Preoperative risk score was higher in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group, although SSS and CRS were similar. No significant differences were detected in the occurrence of postoperative complications. In the elderly group, CRS was higher in patients with complications than in those without. Long-term outcomes evaluated by overall and disease-specific survival were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

In the elderly patients, E-PASS especially CRS can predict the occurrence of complications. The safety and prognoses of elderly patients after PD are comparable with those of non-elderly patients.

The death panel myth among older adults: Political ideology, advance directives, and perceived discrimination on the basis of age

The "death panel" myth holds that the Affordable Care Act sought to determine which Americans are worthy of medical care. Two interview surveys among older adults (Study 1, N = 210, Study 2, N = 196) investigated differences between those who do and do not believe the death panel myth. Those who believed in the death panel myth had more conservative political ideology, lower perceived need for living wills, and higher perceived discrimination on the basis of age. The death panel myth may stem from partisanship and a belief that society places less value on the lives of older adults.

Neurologic manifestations of elderly patients with cancer

BACKGROUND

The incidence of cancer is an age-related phenomenon; therefore, the interest on clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach and treatment strategies for older patients diagnosed with cancer has increased lately. Neurologic symptoms are one of the main reasons for consultation and a common cause of decreased quality of life among cancer patients.

AIMS

To identify the neurologic manifestations of patients ≥ 65 years of age diagnosed with cancer and compare them to those presented by a younger population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of cancer patients referred to neuro-oncologic consultation at a Cancer Center. Sociodemographic, health and oncologic characteristics were obtained through clinical interviews. Clinical symptoms and final diagnoses were also recorded. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

More than 17,000 neuro-oncologic consultations in 3015 patients were given, 27% (n = 811) of them were ≥ 65 years of age. Most frequent primary neoplasms in elderly patients were: breast cancer, hematologic neoplasms, gynecological, urologic, skin and head and neck cancers. Elderly patients had an increased risk of having the following diagnoses: abnormal movements, stroke, peripheral vertigo, dementia, degenerative spine disorder, and delirium.

DISCUSSION

Elderly patients are considered a vulnerable population. The present study found that the main neoplasms associated with neurological manifestations are similar to the reported previously. We described the main symptoms that led to a neuro-oncological assessment. Moreover, we enlisted the final diagnoses made on elderly patients and compared them with others reports. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides valuable information, since there is scarce evidence in the literature about this topic.

CONCLUSION

Identifying the frequency and correlation of neurologic manifestations in older cancer patients will allow for the implementation of timely multidisciplinary care in an attempt to improve these patients' health-related quality of life.

Economic analysis of BRAF gene mutation testing in real world practice using claims data: costs of single gene versus panel tests in patients with lung cancer

AIMS

To assess the time to BRAF testing, compare the characteristics of tested vs not-tested patients, and describe the costs for sequential vs next-generation sequencing (NGS) BRAF testing.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with lung cancer after December 1, 2013 were identified from two US claims databases; their characteristics were assessed during the 12 months before diagnosis (index date). Testing modalities were analyzed from the index date to end of continuous health plan enrollment or data availability (December 2015), based on combinations of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) procedure codes. Time to BRAF testing was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Costs were analyzed from a payer's perspective.

RESULTS

A total of 28,011 patients newly-diagnosed with lung cancer were identified. Of them, 1,260 (4.5%) were tested for BRAF: 3.2% and 4.2% were tested at 6 and 12 months, respectively, after the index date. Compared to non-tested patients, tested patients were younger (58.3 vs 65.3 years; p < .001), had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (2.8 vs 2.9; p = .005), and a higher proportion had metastases (70.9% vs 43.4%; p < .001). In 76.0% of cases, BRAF was tested along with KRAS. BRAF was tested using NGS in 6.6% of cases. The average reimbursed amounts for the 10 most common CPT code combinations were $207-$2,074. Using the average costs of individual mutation tests, the total cost of sequential testing comprising KRAS, EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF tests was $3,763 ($464, $696, $1,070, $1,127, and $406, respectively), that of NGS was $2,860.

LIMITATIONS

Claims data did not include BRAF test results.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients newly-diagnosed with lung cancer, 4.5% were tested for BRAF. Tested patients were younger and had a lower comorbidity burden, but more advanced disease. While reimbursed amounts varied greatly based on combinations of testing procedures, NGS testing was associated with cost savings compared to sequential testing of individual mutations.

Association between self-perception of aging, view of cancer and health of older patients in oncology: a one-year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Identifying older people affected by cancer who are more at risk of negative health outcomes is a major issue in health initiatives focusing on medical effectiveness. In this regard, psychological risk factors such as patients' perception of their own aging and cancer could be used as indicators to improve customization of cancer care. We hypothesize that more negative self-perception of aging (SPA) and view of cancer could be linked to worse physical and mental health outcomes in cancer patients.

METHODS

One hundred one patients diagnosed with cancer (breast, gynecological, lung or hematological) were followed for 1 year. They were evaluated on four occasions (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months after the baseline). Their SPA, view of cancer and health (physical and mental) were assessed at each time of evaluation.

RESULTS

Negative SPA and/or view of cancer at baseline are associated with negative evolution of patients' physical and mental health. Moreover, when the evolution of SPA and cancer view were taken into account, these two stigmas are still linked with the evolution of mental health. In comparison, only a negative evolution of SPA was linked to worse physical health outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Such results indicate that SPA and view of cancer could be used as markers of vulnerability in older people with cancer.

Agism and burnout among nurses in long-term care facilities in Israel

OBJECTIVES

The extent to which agism and professional qualifications are associated with nurses' burnout in long-term care facilities for older adults has been barely examined. This study is aimed to examine the extent to which agism, professional education, and geriatric training explain work burnout.

METHOD

The study included a convenience sample of 154 nurses working in 17 long-term care facilities in the Tel Aviv area in Israel. To examine agism, Kogan's Attitudes toward Old People Scale was used, and to probe burnout, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used.

RESULTS

Overall burnout was significantly explained by agism, nurses' professional education, length of working as a nurse, and type of facility ownership. When examining each dimension of burnout, agism was a significant predictor of depersonalization and personal achievement.

CONCLUSION

Agism plays a role in overall burnout. Therefore, training programs that can combat agism can reduce burnout of nurses in long-term care facilities.

Oncologists’ End of Life Treatment Decisions

Background: Optimal treatment decisions for older end-stage cancer patients are complicated, and are influenced by oncologists’ attitudes and beliefs about older patients. Nevertheless, few studies have explored oncologists’ perspectives on how patient age affects their treatment decisions. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 oncologists to examine factors that influence their chemotherapy decisions for adults with incurable cancer near death. Transcripts of recorded interviews were coded and content analyzed. Results: Oncologists identified patient age as a key factor in their chemotherapy decisions. They believed older adults were less likely to want or tolerate treatment, and felt highly motivated to treat younger patients. Discussion: Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews resulted in a nuanced understanding of how patient age influences oncologists’ chemotherapy decisions. Such understanding may inform practice efforts aimed at enhancing cancer care at the end of life for older patients.

Pharmacotherapy in the ageing patient: The impact of age per se (A review)

A literature search was carried out to review the influence of 'ageing' on pharmacotherapeutic decision-making, specifically how 'age' is defined and considered in the utilisation of medication. Embase, Medline, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Google scholar were canvassed in a three-tiered search according to pre-established inclusion criteria. In tier 1, a total of 22 studies were identified highlighting the underutilisation of medication in elderly patients, with a particular focus on warfarin. Four studies highlighted an age-bias in medication-prescribing for elderly patients, specifically in relation to medicines for rheumatoid arthritis, angina, and hypertension. Tier 2 identified diverse definitions for 'elderly', including biological age, chronological age, physiological age, as well as various descriptions of 'elderly' in clinical trials and guidelines. Finally, medication optimisation tools were identified through the third tier, emphasising the use of chronological age to describe the 'elderly'. Old age influences pharmacotherapeutic decision-making at various levels, however, what complicates the situation is the absence of a comprehensive definition of 'elderly'. Clinical recommendations need to be based more on objective factors known to affect medication effectiveness and safety.

Ageism and its clinical impact in oncogeriatry: state of knowledge and therapeutic leads

Cancer is a major health problem that is widespread in elderly people. Paradoxically, older people suffering from cancer are often excluded from clinical trials and are undertreated when compared to younger patients. One explanation for these observations is age stigma (ie, stereotypes linked to age, and thus ageism). These stigmas can result in deleterious consequences for elderly people’s mental and physical health in “normal” aging. What, then, is the impact in a pathological context, such as oncology? Moreover, health care professionals’ attitudes can be tainted with ageism, thus leading to undesirable consequences for patients. To counter these stigmas, we can apply some possible interventions emerging from research on normal aging and from social psychology, such as intergenerational contact, activation of positive stereotypes, self-affirmation, and so on; these tools can improve opinions of aging among the elderly people themselves, as well as health care professionals, thus affecting patients’ mental and physical health.

To flee, or not to flee, that is the question for older asylum seekers

As psychiatrists, we assess, diagnose, and manage psychiatric problems in older adults. We also have an important role as their advocates and in promoting positive attitudes toward this group. Only in the 1950s was there increasing recognition that older age did not necessarily equate to senility, that treatment of psychiatric disorders in this group was possible, and could have good outcomes (Roth, 1955). There is, however, still an undercurrent of pervasive negative attitudes toward the elderly, and their psychiatric needs continue to be marginalized, with less attention from the media, funding bodies, and even from our medical and surgical colleagues (Penson et al., 2004).

Cultural- and educational-level differences in students knowledge, attitudes, and preferences for working with older adults: an israeli perspective

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of nursing education on students' knowledge, attitudes, and preferences to work with older adults in an ethnically diverse Israeli society.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional design, Kogan's Old People Scale was used to measure attitudes toward older adults and Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz-1 to assess the level of knowledge of nursing students in four cohorts.

RESULTS

Of the 224 nursing students who responded to the survey, 55% were Jewish and 45% were Arabs. Ethnicity and knowledge were the strongest correlates (p < .0001) of attitudes, and attitudes and ethnicity (p < .0001) correlated with work preferences.

CONCLUSIONS

While knowledge of old age among students increased, preferences for future career in geriatrics declined with education. Ethnicity was a strong predictor of attitudes and future intentions to work with older adults. Culturally tailored educational programs focused on changing the attitudes toward aging are critically needed.

Ethical problems in geriatrics: views of Turkish primary healthcare professionals

AIM

Primary healthcare professionals frequently encounter ethical issues in the care of older adults. These issues might particularly appear in the context of "age discrimination", "respect for autonomy", "respect for privacy" and "decision-making competency". The aims of this study were to determine the frequency rates of various geriatric ethical problems and to evaluate the importance given to these problems in primary healthcare.

METHODS

In order to evaluate the opinions, a questionnaire tool was formulated. The participants were asked to review the list of geriatric ethical issues, to state the frequency of encountering them and to identify the importance ratings for each issue. The sample consisted of 86 primary healthcare professionals (50 physicians and 36 nurses) aged between 24 and 50 years.

RESULTS

Based on the results, the most frequently encountered ethical issues were on "decision-making competency" and these issues respectively were "decision-making with relatives instead of elder patients", "not informing elders due to the lack of tolerance" and "not informing elders due to the lack of comprehending". The most important geriatric ethical issues were "ignoring respect for privacy", "ignoring patient's complaints" and "rejecting detailed examination or treatment because of age".

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results show that the nurses and physicians in primary healthcare frequently encounter geriatric ethical problems related to the decision-making process, which is a common issue for Turkey as a paternalistic society. The findings show that primary healthcare professionals are sensitive to geriatric ethical issues; however, this sensitivity does not prevent the emergence of these issues.

Is advanced age a barrier to effective cancer treatment? The experience of nonagenarians receiving radiation therapy

AIM

Decision-making about elderly patients is difficult due to the absence of clinical experience or evidence-based results to develop optimal treatment plans. This study aims to determine the tolerability and impact of radiation therapy (RT) when delivered to patients aged >89 years.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on all nonagenarian patients (defined as aged 90 years or over) managed with RT between 2005 and 2007. Patients' records were reviewed in regard to their characteristics, the presence of significant medical comorbidities, performance status, management intent, cancer diagnosis and RT modality. Outcome end-points were overall survival and the tolerability of RT (presence of grade 3 or 4 morbidity, hospital admission or treatment interruption).

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2007, 2762 new courses of RT were delivered to patients at the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, of whom 55, or 2%, were nonagenarians. Median age at treatment was 92 years, with range 90-104 years. A total of 56% were managed with radical intent, 31% had significant comorbidities, 55% had non-skin primary tumors and 78% received linac-based treatment. The mean follow up for survivors was 19.8 months (10.2-41.8 months). RT was well tolerated, with 89% completing planned RT and only 18% requiring interruption. One patient was hospitalized due to RT toxicity. Median survival post-RT was 13.0 months, with 56% of patients alive at 12 months. Survival duration was associated with radical management intent (P= 0.001), cutaneous primary site (P= 0.001) and female gender (P= 0.043).

CONCLUSION

Nonagenarian patients receiving treatment had satisfactory tolerability and achieved expected survival rates post-RT.

Peculiaridades da radioterapia em idosos

É sabido que o envelhecimento da população do mundo durante o século XX e no início deste novo século constitui um desafio de primeira ordem para as nações, especialmente no campo socioeconômico. Um aspecto importante do envelhecimento populacional global é que, para grupos de idade mais avançada, a prevalência das doenças degenerativas também é maior, incluindo as doenças malignas. No universo de pacientes portadores de câncer, por outro lado, metade destes receberá radioterapia em algum momento de sua doença e suas características individuais podem influenciar, de alguma forma, o prognóstico, a indicação e as doses diárias de prescrição dos tratamentos. Neste contexto, a assistência à saúde do idoso portador de câncer deve ser vista como um importante desafio, principalmente devido a dois fatores: uma maior procura de tratamentos, em termos quantitativos, e características fisiológicas peculiares a esta população, que podem influenciar na tomada de decisões terapêuticas. Esta revisão propõe uma discussão sobre alguns aspectos relevantes tanto da fisiologia dos idosos, que pode influenciar o curso do tratamento irradiante, quanto de alguns avanços técnicos da radioterapia, que podem, por sua vez, beneficiar estes pacientes, oferecendo menor toxicidade e maior eficiência e rapidez, por exemplo.

Informed consent and the ethical management of the older patient

Informed consent in elderly patients presents many ethical and legal challenges. Most aging patients are competent to provide consent for medical care. The purpose of informed consent is to promote autonomy, to protect a patient from undesired treatment, and to help the patient to make appropriate medical care decisions that correlate with his or her personal values. A surrogate decision-maker should be sought for an incompetent patient. Advance directives are legally and ethically binding tools by which patients can express their decisions regarding medical care before they lose capacity to do so. Discussion of do-not-resuscitate orders is part of informed consent, and patients' wishes regarding resuscitation in the operating room should be respected. Surrogate consent for participation in research is not necessarily allowed by IRB approval and research protocols.

Attitudes toward the elderly with CNS trauma: a cross-sectional study of neuroscientists, clinicians, and allied-health professionals

Despite the potential impact of ageist attitudes on outcomes of central nervous system (CNS)-injured patients, little has been reported on this issue. Given this, we sought to conduct a questionnaire-based survey to assess the attitudes toward the elderly among basic and clinical neuroscientists, clinicians, and allied-health professionals whose research or medical practice is focused on neurotrauma. We also reviewed all abstracts presented in the National Neurotrauma Symposia from 1984 to 2007 and identified previous studies on the potential effects of age/aging on outcomes. The Kogan's Old People (KOP) scale was used to assess attitudes toward elderly individuals among all members of the National Neurotrauma Society (NNS). Of the 504 registered members, 137 subjects completed the survey that was re-mailed for non-respondents 4 weeks apart. There were no significant differences between respondents of the first and second mailings regarding their demographic and professional profiles or regarding their responses. These results support the validity of our findings in spite of the relatively low mail survey response rate (27.2%). Female gender was significantly associated with more positive attitudes toward old people compared to males. Clinicians showed significantly fewer negative attitudes toward old people in comparison with basic and clinical neuroscientists. Of the 4,194 abstracts reviewed, we identified only 44 studies (1.05%) that were explicitly focused on the effects of aging/old age on neurotrauma. In conclusion, our questionnaire-based survey, which appears to be representative of the population of interest, recognized significant differences in the attitudes toward old people among various professional groups and between male and female professionals. These findings may reflect a lack of knowledge and misconceptions regarding the impact of aging and old age on outcomes after CNS trauma. Further research on the impact of aging on outcomes after neurotrauma is required. Moreover, knowledge translation and mobilization appears required to positively influence attitudes among neuroscience research and clinical professionals regarding the issues of neurotrauma and the elderly.

The adverse prognostic impact of advanced age in multiple myeloma

The adverse prognostic impact of advanced age in multiple myeloma is multi-factorial. In this review we explore the various contributory factors to this phenomenon. These include general biological and psychosocial factors, which impact on cancer in the elderly population such as the presence of multiple co morbidities and poor performance status at diagnosis and variation in patient's expectations of treatment. Factors specific to myeloma include the ability to deliver optimum therapy in older patients and the impact of this on disease response, possible biological differences of myeloma in older patients, and how these various factors impact on the efficacy of conventional-dose, high-dose (HDT) and newer disease modifying therapies. Selected elderly patients can gain equal benefit to younger patients from effective therapies such as HDT. However, the use of specific assessment tools for the elderly, apart from chronological age, should be used to select elderly patients who will benefit. Future testing of newer therapies in patients with myeloma must include older patients, who will make up an increasing proportion of the myeloma population in the future and should incorporate assessment of effect of these therapies on quality of life.

Elder abuse, ageism, human rights and citizenship: implications for nursing discourse

Elder abuse is a significant social issue in society. Although this area has generated an increasing research base, there is scant literature on elder abuse viewed through the lens of ageism and its sway on human rights and citizenship. These three perspectives on the topic allow for a meaningful and equitable benchmark from which elder abuse may be considered. Ageism influences the way human rights and citizenship are articulated for older people and is conceptualised as stereotypical views of older people leading to prejudiced attitudes, actions and societal marginalisation. Such attitudes function to both disadvantage and devalue older people providing a covert basis for societal tolerance of elder abuse. This paper reviews pertinent literature in the area of elder abuse, human rights, citizenship and ageism, and argues that although society aspires to certain ideals in terms of equality and valuing the human individual, these aspirations may often be questionable in terms of older people and abuse.

Modern treatment options for elderly patients with multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma, an incurable malignancy of plasma cells, is a disease of the elderly. In younger patients, significant therapeutic progress has been achieved, but survival outcomes remain unacceptably low in older adults with multiple myeloma. Diverse factors, including comorbidity, performance status, decreased physiologic reserve, and potential undertreatment, contribute to these poor outcomes. Unfortunately, many clinical trials are designed to exclude elderly patients with coexisting diseases, so only limited data are available and no guidelines exist on how to treat this challenging and growing myeloma population. A broader range of therapeutic options has become available within the last few years, including chemotherapy with either established or newly available drugs, immunomodulators, and high-dose treatment with stem cell support (autologous as well as allogeneic). In this review, we discuss the data available from clinical trials investigating antineoplastic treatment of elderly multiple myeloma patients.

Perceptions on the importance of gerontological education by teachers and students of undergraduate health sciences

BACKGROUND

The main challenge of higher education institutions throughout the world is to develop professionals capable of understanding and responding to the current social priorities of our countries. Given the utmost importance of addressing the complex needs of an increasingly elderly population in Mexico, the National Autonomous University of Mexico has systematically incorporated modules dealing with primary gerontological health care into several of its undergraduate programs in health sciences. The objective of this study was to analyze teacher's and student's perceptions about the current educational practices on gerontology.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 26 teachers and 122 undergraduate students. Subjects were administered interviews and responded survey instrument.

RESULTS

A vast proportion of the teachers (42%) reported students' attitudes towards their academic training as the most important factor affecting learning in the field of gerontology, whereas students reported that the main problems of education in gerontology were theoretical (32%) and methodological (28%). In addition, 41% of students considered education on ageing matters as an essential element for their professional development, as compared to 19% of teachers (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the teachers' perceptions about the low importance of education on ageing matters for the professional practice of health sciences could be a negative factor for gerontology teaching.

Treatment Strategies in Elderly Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM), a plasma cell malignancy, is a disorder of the elderly with an increasing prevalence as the average life expectancy increases. Survival remains unacceptably low in elderly patients with MM, in whom the gold standard of treatment has been, until recently, oral melphalan and prednisolone, which induces a response rate of approximately 50% and overall survival of <3 years. In the last 15 years, traditional treatment paradigms for elderly patients with MM have been challenged not only as a result of the change in what we define as 'elderly' but also as a result of the reduced morbidity and treatment-related mortality associated with high-dose chemoradiotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and the emergence of novel therapies including thalidomide, its immunomodulator drug derivative lenalidomide and the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. In this review, we examine currently available data regarding the treatment of MM in the elderly population. Recent years have seen a paradigm shift in the standard of care of elderly patients with MM from oral melphalan and prednisolone to approaches including HDT with ASCT using intermediate-dose melphalan in selected elderly patients, and the evaluation of and incorporation of drugs such as thalidomide, bortezomib and lenalidomide. Importantly, we now have been able to change the traditional goal of palliation in the elderly group of patients to a more ambitious objective of achieving a complete response or a near complete response, in the hope that this will translate into improved progression-free survival, overall survival and quality of life.

The development and validation of a prediction tool for chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

In this study, the development and validation of a cycle-based prediction model for severe anemia [i.e., a hemoglobin (Hb) of <or=100 g/l] in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving palliative chemotherapy is described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on 536 European patients who were receiving palliative chemotherapy were prospectively collected as part of the European Cancer Anemia Survey [Ludwig et al., Eur J Cancer 40:2293-2306, 2004]. The patient sample was then randomly divided into two-thirds model derivation and one-third validation sample. A third external sample consisting of 76 patients treated at the Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre was separately used to externally validate the model. Multivariable logistic regression techniques were applied to develop the initial model. A risk scoring system based on the regression parameters was then created ranging from 0 to 15.

RESULTS

Precycle Hb, patient body surface area, advanced age, poor performance status, recurrent or persistent disease, and the use of platinum or gemcitabine-based chemotherapy were identified as important predictors for anemia. A prechemotherapy risk score of >or=8 to <10 was identified as the optimal cut off to maximize the sensitivity (83.1%) and specificity (67.8%) of the prediction tool. Patients with a score of >or=8 would be considered at high risk for developing anemia after a particular cycle of chemotherapy.

DISCUSSION

We developed and validated an anemia prediction tool for advanced stage NSCLC patients receiving palliative chemotherapy. To make the model available for easy use and access, we have incorporated it on to our risk prediction website: http://www.PredictPatientEvents.com . It is hoped that this risk model will enhance patient care by optimizing the frequency of Hb testing and/or the use of preventative therapies.

Radical prostatectomy for octogenarians: How old is too old?

OBJECTIVES

As the population ages, healthy octogenarians are increasingly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Some of these patients will request radical prostatectomy (RP), although outcome data in this population group are lacking. We report our experience with patients undergoing RP during their ninth decade of age.

METHODS

From 1986 to 2003, 13,154 patients underwent RP at our institution. Of these patients, 19 (0.14%) were 80 years old or older at surgery and were included in this analysis. Patient survival and quality-of-life measures were retrospectively obtained from the Mayo Clinic Prostatectomy Registry.

RESULTS

The reasons for RP varied, but usually patients requested or demanded operative intervention. At surgery, the mean patient age was 81 years (range 80 to 84), the median prostate-specific antigen level was 10.2 ng/mL (range 1.3 to 45.9), and the mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.4 (range 2 to 3). Of the 19 patients, 13 (68%) had Stage pT3 disease or a Gleason score of 7 or more. The median follow-up was 10.5 years (range 1.2 to 14.2). At the last follow-up visit, 10 patients had survived more than a decade after RP and 3 patients had died within 10 years of surgery. The remaining 6 patients were alive at less than 10 years of follow-up. Of the 19 patients, 14 (74%) were continent; 1 patient required an artificial sphincter. No patient had died of prostate cancer, and the 10-year all-cause survival rate was similar to that observed in healthy patients 60 to 79 years old undergoing RP.

CONCLUSIONS

On rare occasions, healthy and well-informed octogenarians will request RP for prostate cancer treatment. Our data suggest that select patients can achieve satisfactory oncologic and functional outcomes after surgery, although the rate of urinary incontinence is increased compared with that in younger counterparts.

Small cell lung cancer: treatment review

Lung cancer was relatively uncommon at the turn of the 20th century, and has increased in prevalence at alarming rates, particularly because of the augmented trend in smoking, so that it is now the most common cause of cancer death in the world. As almost a quarter of these cancers are of small cell in origin, it seems only appropriate that small cell lung cancer receives ample attention, rather than seemingly to have been overlooked over the last 10-15 years. Despite its generally late presentation and high risk of dissemination, it is exceptionally sensitive to chemo-radiotherapy. This review looks at the diverse options of treatment that have been used over the last few years and tries to highlight the best available. As more than 50% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are over 70 years of age and various studies have shown that older people respond just as well as their younger counterparts, with similar results in response rates, toxicity and outcomes, it is imperative that the older generation are not disregarded in terms of age being a contraindication to therapy.

Management of the elderly patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most lethal of the common solid malignancies. It is predominantly a disease of the elderly with the median age at diagnosis 68 years. Unfortunately, the majority of patients present with advanced disease whereby palliation is the primary aim of treatment. The elderly have a long history of undertreatment and non-inclusion in clinical trials with regard to cancer. Elderly-specific studies demonstrate that chemotherapy provides both a survival and quality-of-life benefit in advanced NSCLC. Increasing emphasis is placed on the objective assessment of fitness for chemotherapy and the integration of molecularly targeted agents into treatment paradigms.

Topotecan in the treatment of elderly patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Almost 70% of all patients with lung cancer in the United States are>65 years of age, and the incidence of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) increases with age until the eighth decade of life. However, elderly patients are underrepresented in clinical trials and are often suboptimally treated. The validity of age as a prognostic factor for toxicity or survival remains controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To investigate the safety and efficacy of topotecan (an approved treatment for relapsed SCLC) in older patients, we performed a retrospective analysis in patients >or= 65 years of age versus patients < 65 years of age from 5 large topotecan trials. In all 5 trials, patients received topotecan 1.5 mg/m2 per day via a 30-minute intravenous infusion on days 1 through 5 of a 21-day cycle. Efficacy and tolerability outcomes were assessed for both age groups.

RESULTS

Topotecan was similarly tolerated in both age groups, with generally manageable hematologic toxicity. The incidence, duration, and onset of severe hematologic toxicities did not vary significantly with age. In the<65 age group, grade 4 neutropenia and leukopenia were reported in 72% and 32% of patients, respectively; in the >or= 65 age group, grade 4 neutropenia and leukopenia were reported in 77% and 31% of patients, respectively. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was less common in the<65 age group. Nonhematologic toxicities, median time to progression, and overall survival were comparable between groups.

CONCLUSION

This is the first demonstration of the safety and efficacy of topotecan in older patients with recurrent SCLC. Future studies are needed to fully characterize the role of topotecan in the treatment of older patients.

Risk assessment for cancer surgery in elderly patients

Global growth of the elderly population is requiring healthcare providers to cater for an expanding elderly cancer subpopulation. The aggression with which cancer should be treated in this subpopulation is an ethical dilemma and is an ongoing debate, as surgeons have feared increases in postoperative morbidity and mortality. As a result elderly patients often receive suboptimal cancer treatment. The need for standardization of cancer surgery is well recognized despite the difficulties in view of heterogeneity of the group. In this article, epidemiological changes, tumor biology specific to elderly cancer are visited, operative risk assessment tools are discussed, and interim results of ongoing multinational investigation ie, PACE (Preoperative Assessment of Cancer Elderly) revealed.

Implications of Aging in Surgical Oncology

Global growth of the elderly population is requiring health care providers to cater to an expanding elderly cancer subpopulation. Surgeons are called upon to provide optimal cancer management for this heterogeneous group in par with care provided for younger patients, an ethical dilemma that is compounded by an ill-understood tumor biology. Delivery of suboptimal surgical cancer treatment due to ageist attitudes and personal beliefs is no longer acceptable. Cancer surgeons have to offer optimal surgery in consideration of individualized operative risk. The need for a tool to assess operative risk and predict postoperative outcome is obvious. This article wishes to raise awareness among surgeons about epidemiology, physiologic changes, performance status and comorbidities, and patterns of care and ways to improve them. We visit existing tools to assess operative risk, reveal interim results from the Preoperative Assessment of Cancer in Elderly (PACE) study, and discuss the future of oncogeriatrics.