Consistent with our previous review , several domains of GA are associated with adverse outcomes .
BACKGROUND Our previous systematic review of geriatric assessment ( GA ) in oncology included a literature search up to November 2010 .
However , the quickly evolving field warranted an up date .
Aims of this review : ( i ) provide an overview of all GA instruments developed and /or in use in the oncology setting ; ( ii ) evaluate effectiveness of GA in predicting/modifying outcomes ( e.g. treatment decision impact , treatment toxicity , mortality , use of care ) .
Screening older cancer patients: first evaluation of the G-8 geriatric screening tool.
BACKGROUND Development of a geriatric screening tool is necessary to identify elderly cancer patients who would benefit from comprehensive geriatric assessment ( CGA ) .  We develop and evaluate the G-8 screening tool against various reference tests . PATIENTS AND METHODS Analyses were based on 364 cancer patients aged>70 years scheduled to receive first-line chemotherapy included in a multicenter prospect i ve study . The G-8 consists of seven items from the Mini Nutritional Assessment ( MNA ) question naire and age . Our primary reference test is based on a set of seven CGA scales : Activities Daily Living ( ADL ) , Instrumental ADL , MNA , Mini-Mental State Exam , Geriatric Depression Scale , Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatrics , and Timed Get Up and Go . We considered the presence of at least one question naire with an impaired score as an abnormal reference exam . Additional reference exams are also discussed . RESULTS The prevalence of being at risk varied from 60 % to 94 % according to the various definitions of the reference test . When considering the primary reference test , a cut-off value of 14 for the G-8 tool provided a good sensitivity estimate ( 85 % ) without deteriorating the specificity excessively ( 65 % ) . CONCLUSION The G-8 shows good screening properties for identifying elderly cancer patients who could benefit from CGA
Consistent with our previous review , several domains of GA are associated with adverse outcomes .
BACKGROUND Our previous systematic review of geriatric assessment ( GA ) in oncology included a literature search up to November 2010 .
However , the quickly evolving field warranted an up date .
Aims of this review : ( i ) provide an overview of all GA instruments developed and /or in use in the oncology setting ; ( ii ) evaluate effectiveness of GA in predicting/modifying outcomes ( e.g. treatment decision impact , treatment toxicity , mortality , use of care ) .