[Aging and cancer care in France: hospitalization requirement in 2012]. / Sujets âgés atteints de cancer en France : quel recours à l'hospitalisation en 2012 ?

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: French national cancer plans were rolled out oncogeriatric coordination units in France in particular to enable all elderly people with cancer in each region to benefit from a specific care management. METHODS: The national hospital discharge database was analyzed in order to analyze hospitalizations related to cancer care in ≥75 years patients for year 2012. RESULTS: A total of 358,721 patients with 1,492,935 hospitalizations were recorded, respectively with chemotherapy (32.4%), radiotherapy (23.0%), surgery (10.6%), palliative care (3.9%), or other care (30.9%). Hospital activity was distributed in hospitals (36.3%), clinics (23.4%), academic hospitals (20.9%), cancer centers (11.8%). Their respective share varied according to care. Total activity volume and number of health care facilities involved were highly variable in the different regions. CONCLUSION: These data would permit development of a national oncogeriatric policy through the action of regional oncogeriatric coordination units. These units should prioritize training actions and good practice guidelines dissemination in health care institutions with a high activity volume in this domain.