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 .
Abridged geriatric assessment is a better predictor of overall survival than the Karnofsky Performance Scale and Physical Performance Test in elderly patients with cancer.
OBJECTIVES Comprehensive geriatric assessment ( CGA ) is a complex and interdisciplinary approach to evaluate the health status of elderly patients . The Karnofsky Performance Scale ( KPS ) and Physical Performance Test ( PPT ) are less time-consuming tools that measure functional status . This study was design ed to assess and compare abridged geriatric assessment ( GA ) , KPS and PPT as predictive tools of mortality in elderly patients with cancer . MATERIAL S AND METHODS This prospect i ve interventional study included all individuals aged > 70years who were diagnosed with cancer during the study period . Subjects were interviewed directly using a procedure that included a clinical test and a question naire composed of the KPS , PPT and abridged GCA .  Overall survival ( OS ) was the primary endpoint . The log rank test was used to compare survival curves , and Cox 's regression model ( forward procedure ) was used for multivariate survival analysis . RESULTS One hundred patients were included in this study . Abridged GA was the only tool found to predict mortality [ median OS for unfit patients ( at least two impairments ) 467days vs 1030days for fit patients ; p=0.04 ] . Patients defined as fit by mean PPT score ( > 20 ) had worse median OS ( 560 vs 721days ) ; however , this difference was not significant ( p=0.488 on log rank ) . Although median OS did not differ significantly between patients with low ( ≤80 ) and high ( > 80 ) KPS scores ( 467 and 795days , respectively ; p=0.09 ) , survival curves diverged after nearly 120days of follow-up . Visual and hearing impairments were the only components of abridged GA of prognostic value . CONCLUSION Neither KPS nor PPT were shown to predict mortality in elderly patients with cancer whereas abridged GA was predictive . This study suggests a possible role for visual and hearing assessment as screening for patients requiring CGA
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 .