Cáncer en el adulto mayor en Latinoamérica: cooperación interdisciplinaria entre oncología y geriatria / Cancer in older adults in Latin America: interdisciplinary cooperation between oncology and geriatrics

RESUMEN Latinoamérica, al igual que el resto del mundo, se está enfrentando actualmente a las consecuencias del envejecimiento poblacional, entre las que se incluye el aumento en la incidencia de neoplasias malignas en adultos mayores, con un subsecuente incremento en la uso de servicios de salud oncológicos. La oncología geriátrica es una disciplina de reciente creación que suma principios geriátricos a los avances oncológicos para ofrecer un tratamiento individualizado a los adultos mayores con cáncer. Este abordaje multidisciplinario actualmente es recomendado en el cuidado oncológico rutinario en adultos mayores. En Latinoamérica existen varias iniciativas asistenciales de enseñanza e investigación en oncología geriátrica; sin embargo, el número de centros especializados y la disponibilidad de personal capacitado en el área es limitada en comparación con los recursos disponibles en países de ingresos altos. En este trabajo se describen recomendaciones internacionales para la implementación de los principios de la oncología geriátrica en la práctica clínica habitual, los centros y recursos con los que se cuenta en Latinoamérica y los retos a futuro para mejorar la atención multidisciplinaria de los adultos mayores con cáncer en la región.(AU)

ABSTRACT Latin America, like the rest of the world, is currently facing the consequences of population aging. Among these consequences is a rise in incidence in malignant neoplasms among older adults, with an anticipated increase in oncologic health service requirements in this population. Geriatric oncology is a recently created discipline which integrates geriatric principles into oncology care to offer older adults with cancer individualized treatments. This multidisciplinary approach is now recommended as part of routine oncology care by international associations. Although several geriatric oncology clinical, educational and research initiatives exist in Latin America, the number and availability of specialized facilities and personnel is limited in comparison to those in high-income regions. In this manuscript, we review international recommendations for the implementation of geriatric oncology principles into routine clinical practice, describe resources available for geriatric oncology in Latin America, and provide recommendations to improve multidisciplinary care for older adults with cancer in the region.(AU)

[Cancer in older adults in Latin America: interdisciplinary cooperation between oncology and geriatrics]. / Cáncer en el adulto mayor en Latinoamérica: cooperación interdisciplinaria entre oncología y geriatría.

Latin America, like the rest of the world, is currently facing the consequences of population aging. Among these consequences is a rise in incidence in malignant neoplasms among older adults, with an anticipated increase in oncologic health service requirements in this population. Geriatric oncology is a recently created discipline which integrates geriatric principles into oncology care to offer older adults with cancer individualized treatments. This multidisciplinary approach is now recommended as part of routine oncology care by international associations. Although several geriatric oncology clinical, educational and research initiatives exist in Latin America, the number and availability of specialized facilities and personnel is limited in comparison to those in high-income regions. In this manuscript, we review international recommendations for the implementation of geriatric oncology principles into routine clinical practice, describe resources available for geriatric oncology in Latin America, and provide recommendations to improve multidisciplinary care for older adults with cancer in the region.

Latinoamérica, al igual que el resto del mundo, se está enfrentando actualmente a las consecuencias del envejecimiento poblacional, entre las que se incluye el aumento en la incidencia de neoplasias malignas en adultos mayores, con un subsecuente incremento en la uso de servicios de salud oncológicos. La oncología geriátrica es una disciplina de reciente creación que suma principios geriátricos a los avances oncológicos para ofrecer un tratamiento individualizado a los adultos mayores con cáncer. Este abordaje multidisciplinario actualmente es recomendado en el cuidado oncológico rutinario en adultos mayores. En Latinoamérica existen varias iniciativas asistenciales de enseñanza e investigación en oncología geriátrica; sin embargo, el número de centros especializados y la disponibilidad de personal capacitado en el área es limitada en comparación con los recursos disponibles en países de ingresos altos. En este trabajo se describen recomendaciones internacionales para la implementación de los principios de la oncología geriátrica en la práctica clínica habitual, los centros y recursos con los que se cuenta en Latinoamérica y los retos a futuro para mejorar la atención multidisciplinaria de los adultos mayores con cáncer en la región.

The Effect of a Geriatric Oncology Clinic on Treatment Decisions in Mexican Older Adults With Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Geriatric assessment and interventions improve the care of older adults with cancer, but their effect on treatment decision making in resource-limited settings is unknown. We studied the effect of recommendations made by a consultative geriatric oncology clinic on treatment decision making by oncologists in Mexico. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective chart review of 173 consecutive patients with solid tumors referred before treatment initiation to the geriatric oncology clinic at a third-level public hospital in Mexico City between March 2015 and October 2017. Patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary geriatric oncology clinic, and treatment recommendations were issued to treating oncologists. MEASUREMENTS: We determined the overall proportion of agreement between geriatric oncology recommendations and oncologists' treatment decisions. We assessed whether agreement increased when geriatric oncology recommendations were acknowledged in the treating oncologist's clinic note. The homogeneity of agreement was tested using the Stuart-Maxwell test. RESULTS: Median age was 79 years (range = 64-97 years). "Standard treatment" was recommended in 48% of cases, followed by "less intensive treatment" in 32%, and "best supportive care" in 20%. The overall proportion of agreement for the entire population was 80% (κ = 0.69), although agreement was heterogeneous (X2 = 8.16, P = .02). Geriatric oncology recommendations were acknowledged in the treating oncologists' notes in 62% of cases. Overall agreement was higher when the evaluation was acknowledged (83%, κ = 0.74) than when it was not acknowledged (74%, κ = 0.60). Agreement was homogeneous only when recommendations were acknowledged in the oncologist's note (X2 = 3.0, P = .22). CONCLUSIONS: The overall proportion of agreement between geriatric oncology recommendations and final treatment decisions was high, particularly when recommendations were acknowledged in the treating oncologists' note. Including geriatric oncology evaluations in everyday clinical practice and fostering interdisciplinary communication between geriatric oncology and treating oncologists may provide valuable guidance for physicians caring for older patients with cancer in resource-limited settings. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:992-997, 2019.

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.

Adjusted Chemotherapy According to Frailty Status in Elderly Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Experience From a Single Referral Center in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is associated with significant toxicity in elderly patients treated for hematological malignancies. Adequate tools to identify the best tailored treatment are essential. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical charts of patients treated with adjusted chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma according to frailty status between August 1, 2013 and June 30, 2016 were included. Three groups were identified: fit, unfit, and frail patients. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients with a median age of 70.5 years were analyzed. Adverse prognostic characteristics were more frequent than expected in the frail group, contributing to a worse outcome. The complete response (CR) rate for all patients was 61.2% (66.6%, 78.3%, and 40.0% for fit, unfit, and frail patients, respectively; P = .121). The 2-year overall survival (OS) for all patients was 78% (87%, 82%, and 59% for fit, unfit, and frail patients, respectively; P = .159) and the mean 2-year disease-free survival was 96% (87% for frail patients and 100% for unfit and fit patients; P = .287). Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was present in 83.3%, 65.2%, and 45% of fit, unfit, and frail patients, respectively. CR after therapy had a positive effect on OS, whereas ≥ 2 extranodal sites and febrile neutropenia had a negative effect. CONCLUSION: Frailty status assessment resulted in the identification of a group of unfit patients who had adequate tolerance to adjusted chemotherapy (R-choP; rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine adjusted to 80% of the corresponding total doses in R-CHOP [rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone]) with good results.