All eight domains were predictive for at least one of the investigated outcomes but the results were quite variable across studies .
Physical function and nutritional status were the domains most often associated with mortality and systemic treatment-related outcomes , and the domain physical function was most often associated with postoperative complications .
Overall , this review demonstrates that the GA should minimally consist of physical function and nutritional status , when the aim is to predict patients -related outcomes of older patients with cancer , although the results are quite heterogeneous .
BACKGROUND A geriatric assessment ( GA ) is increasingly used to help guide treatment decisions in older patients with cancer .
However , there is no consensus regarding which domains should be included in the GA .
In addition , the field of geriatric oncology moves very fast and as a result many new studies have been published since the last review in 2015 .
Therefore , the objective of this systematic review is to evaluate which domains of the GA could predict patient-related treatment outcomes of older patients with cancer and thereby should be included in a GA .
Nutritional Advice in Older Patients at Risk of Malnutrition during Treatment for Chemotherapy: A Two-Year Randomized Controlled Trial
Objective We tested the effect of dietary advice dedicated to increase intake in older patients at risk for malnutrition during chemotherapy  , versus usual care , on one-year mortality . Method We conducted a multicentre , open-label interventional , stratified ( centre ) , parallel r and omised controlled trial , with a 1∶1 ratio , with two-year follow-up . Patients were aged 70 years or older treated with chemotherapy for solid tumour and at risk of malnutrition ( MNA , Mini Nutritional Assessment 17–23.5 ) . Intervention consisted of diet counselling with the aim of achieving an energy intake of 30 kCal/kg body weight/d and 1.2 g protein/kg/d , by face-to-face discussion targeting the main nutritional symptoms , compared to usual care . Interviews were performed 6 times during the chemotherapy sessions for 3 to 6 months . The primary endpoint was 1-year mortality and secondary endpoints were 2-year mortality , toxicities and chemotherapy outcomes . Results Between April 2007 and March 2010 we r and omised 341 patients and 336 were analysed : mean ( st and ard deviation ) age of 78.0 y ( 4·9 ) , 51.2 % male , mean MNA 20.2 ( 2.1 ) . Distribution of cancer types was similar in the two groups ; the most frequent were colon ( 22.4 % ) , lymphoma ( 14.9 % ) , lung ( 10.4 % ) , and pancreas ( 17.0 % ) . Both groups increased their dietary intake , but to a larger extent with intervention ( p<0.01 ) . At the second visit , the energy target was achieved in 57 ( 40.4 % ) patients and the protein target in 66 ( 46.8 % ) with the intervention compared respectively to 13 ( 13.5 % ) and 20 ( 20.8 % ) in the controls . Death occurred during the first year in 143 patients ( 42.56 % ) , without difference according to the intervention ( p = 0.79 ) . No difference in nutritional status changes was found . Response to chemotherapy was also similar between the groups . Conclusion Early dietary counselling  was efficient in increasing intake but had no beneficial effect on mortality or secondary outcomes . Cancer cachexia antianabolism may explain this lack of effect . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov
All eight domains were predictive for at least one of the investigated outcomes but the results were quite variable across studies .
Physical function and nutritional status were the domains most often associated with mortality and systemic treatment-related outcomes , and the domain physical function was most often associated with postoperative complications .
Overall , this review demonstrates that the GA should minimally consist of physical function and nutritional status , when the aim is to predict patients -related outcomes of older patients with cancer , although the results are quite heterogeneous .
BACKGROUND A geriatric assessment ( GA ) is increasingly used to help guide treatment decisions in older patients with cancer .
However , there is no consensus regarding which domains should be included in the GA .
In addition , the field of geriatric oncology moves very fast and as a result many new studies have been published since the last review in 2015 .
Therefore , the objective of this systematic review is to evaluate which domains of the GA could predict patient-related treatment outcomes of older patients with cancer and thereby should be included in a GA .