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 ) .
A multicentre phase II randomised trial of weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine followed by erlotinib on progression, vs the reverse sequence, in elderly patients with advanced non small-cell lung cancer selected with a comprehensive geriatric assessment (the GFPC 0504 study)
Background : Elderly cancer patients form a heterogeneous population in which therapeutic decision-making is often difficult . The aim of this r and omised phase II trial was to evaluate the feasibility and activity of weekly docetaxel/gemcitabine ( DG ) followed by erlotinib after progression ( arm A ) vs erlotinib followed by DG after progression ( arm B ) in fit elderly patients with advanced non small-cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) . Methods : Elderly chemotherapy-naive patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC were selected after a comprehensive geriatric assessment ( socioeconomic , cognitive , depression , ADL and IADL assessment s ) . The primary endpoint was the time to second progression ( TTP2 ) . Overall survival ( OS ) , the time to first progression ( TTP1 ) and safety were secondary endpoints . Results : Between July 2006 and November 2008 , 22 centres enrolled 100 patients .  TTP2 was 7.5 and 5.8 months in arm A and arm B , respectively ; TTP1 was 4.7 and 2.7 months ; and the median OS time was 9.4 and 7.1 months ; the respective 1-year survival rates were 36.2 and 31.4 % . There was no major unexpected toxicity . Conclusion : These results suggest that weekly DG , followed by erlotinib , is a promising treatment for fit elderly patients with NSCLC ; the efficacy of the reverse sequence was insufficient to recommend it for EGFR-non-selected patients
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 ) .