- Email: [email protected]
P.22 Colorectal cancer screening barriers in the elderly
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Posters / Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 64 (2007) S35–S49
toxicity was neutropenia (3.4% for docetaxel; 27.8% for vinorelbine; p=0.0001). Other toxicities were mild, well tolerated and similar for both groups with the exception of asthenia grade 2 (8.6% for docetaxel; 24.1% for vinorelbine; p=0.026). Conclusion: Docetaxel improves survival compared with vinorelbine in good performance status elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Both regimens were well tolerated.
P.20 An attempt to correlate “comprehensive geriatric assessment” (CGA), treatment assignment and clinical outcome in elderly cancer patients: results of a phase II open study E. Massa, C. Madeddu, G. Astara, M. Pisano, C. Spiga, F.M. Tanca, E. Sanna, I. Puddu, E. Patteri, G. Lamonica, L. Deiana, G. Mantovani ∗ . Department of Medical Oncology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy Purpose of the study: To assess the correlation of different CGA categories with different treatment administered and clinical outcome. The ultimate goal was to verify whether an appropriate treatment given to elderly cancer patients according to their CGA category could translate into a better clinical outcome, i.e. objective clinical response, performance status (ECOG PS), and toxicity. Summarized description of the project: A phase II open, prospective non randomized study carried out on 114 elderly cancer patients hospitalized/treated at the Department of Medical Oncology, University of Cagliari, Italy. Patients were assigned to 3 different CGA categories: fit, intermediate and frail. An appropriate treatment was administered according to CGA category assigned and the clinical outcome was assessed. All patients underwent CGA evaluation. The clinical outcome after 3 months of treatment was defined as objective clinical response, ECOG PS and toxicity. The difference of clinical outcome variables between the CGA categories were assessed by the ANOVA test. Moreover, the correlation of clinical response with CGA category, ECOG PS, stage and dose intensity was evaluated by Spearman’s t test. Results: A better clinical response was observed in fit patients as compared to both intermediate and frail patients. Treatment toxicity was significantly worse for intermediate patients as compared to fit and frail patients. The correlation analysis showed a significant direct correlation between clinical response, CGA category and dose intensity; subsequently, the multivariate regression analysis showed that the only independent predictive variables of clinical response were CGA category at baseline and dose intensity. Conclusions: The main conclusion of our study is that the CGA category is the only true independent variable predictive of clinical outcome, as the other variables (dose intensity and ECOG PS) are correlated to it. The most relevant aspect of the study is the new approach in the use of CGA.
P.21 Implementing a geriatric screening tool in the outpatient oncology unit: the challenge of the Centre intégré de lutte contre le Cancer de Montérégie (CICM) C. Mimeault ∗ , M. Billy, J. Latreille, A. Plante, C. Terret, and the interdisciplinary team of the Centre Intégré de lutte contre le Cancer de Montérégie. Centre Intégré de lutte contre le Cancer de Montérégie, France Purpose of the study: The management of the elderly cancer population remains a challenge given the huge heterogeneity of patient health status. The spectrum of disability ranges from those who are healthy and independent to those who are at high risk of functional decline. Thus, cancer treatment decisions may vary according to the patient’s health status. The interdisciplinary team of the CICM have designed a specific instrument to characterize the level of impairment of each older
individual among cancer patients referred to the oncology outpatient unit Patients and methods: a pilot study is being conducted since January 2007 to determine the feasibility of the screening tool. The study population includes patients aged 70 years and older with a new diagnosis of cancer who were referred to the oncology outpatient unit at Charles LeMoyne Hospital, Greenfield Park, Canada. Patients were asked to complete both a self-administered questionnaire and a nurse-led questionnaire, which look at major geriatric domains including functional capacity, nutritional status, physical and mental health, co morbidity, medication, and social situation. Results and conclusion: 56 patients (30 females, 26 males) completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 78 years (70–88). Breast cancer, colorectal cancer and lung cancer were the 3 major tumor types. In our population sample, we observed that 15 patients lived alone, 27 were required daily assistance. Twenty two had a physical disability or were at risk of fall, 30 had sensory problems. Twenty two and 34 patients were dependent respectively in ADL and in IADL. Cognitive disorders were suspected in 20 patients; 17 patients had depressive symptoms. Twenty seven patients had 3 or more co morbidities, 30 patients took 3 or more drugs per day. Finally, 21 patients considered that their overall quality of life was poor. This questionnaire appeared to be understandable, well accepted by the older patients. Missing data were uncommon. We detected multiple geriatric impairments in elderly cancer patients. Further studies are necessary to validate the screening tool, define appropriate geriatric intervention strategies and to determine their impact on outcomes of the elderly cancer patient population.
P.22 Colorectal cancer screening barriers in the elderly D.M. Mladen ∗ ,1 , M.P. Dragoslav 1 , P. Erceg 1 , N. Despotovic 1 , P. Svorcan 2 , M. Kreacic 3 . 1 KBC Zvezdara, Center of Geriatric Medicine, Beograd, Presevska, Serbia; 2 KBC Zvezdara, Center of Gastroenterology, Beograd, Dimitrija Tucovica, Serbia; 3 Oncology Institute of Serbia, Beograd, Pasterova, Serbia Poor understanding of the screening procedures is one of the greatest problems in early detection of the colorectal cancer. The other problem is related to, what is in developed countries called the cost/benefit issue, and in the under-developed countries simply the issue of cost, which is extra high. Regarding the cost/benefits ratio, there is a rationale to invest in the screening procedure. Developing countries have a dilemma in terms of how to incorporate the high standards of medical care and the low economies. If one does not have enough financial support for screening, one is left with two choices – either to modify the standards of the screening method or to reduce the number of investigated patients. The most important thing to be done, however, is to influence and change the public’s opinion regarding the screening procedures. In our research the results have shown that patients hospitalized because of other illnesses that did not include digestive tract ones, think of screening as acceptable. Purpose of the study: To explore the problems in the screening of colorectal carcinoma in the elderly. Descriptions of the project: Three models of colorectal cancer prevention were examined: standard screening, active check-up of suspected cases and summons to have endoscopic checkup for previously diagnosed colorectal polyps. The study was performed among three groups of elderly individuals: Group 1 (167 cases), hospitalized asymptomatic individuals without symptoms in large intestines. Group 2 (612 cases): old individuals at home for the aged, out of which 32 showed symptoms of colon disorders; Group 3 (44 cases): elderly people with diagnosed polyps. As a result of 1788 rectosigmoidoscopies, we identified 61 individuals with polyps, out of which 44 patients were over 65 years old. However,
Posters / Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 64 (2007) S35–S49 only 9 of these 44 individuals agreed to have the endoscopy performed again. Results: One cancer and 13 polyps were detected in Group 1, and two polyps in Group 2. However, it should be noted that only eleven individuals from Group 2 agreed to have the endoscopy. In Group 3, there were no relapses of the polyps among the nine individuals who came back for the endoscopy. Conclusion: Poor understanding of the screening procedures is one of the greatest problems in early detection of the cancer in the aged. Paradoxically, the cooperation is better with hospitalized patients, than with “successfully old” persons. This acceptance can be hypothetically interpreted as an acceptance of the ambience in which there are different diagnostic procedures taking place, or the fact that they are dealing with serious illnesses in hospital, but also as a result of the urging of patients to undergo the analysis by doctors and other medical workers.
P.23 Is Charlson index useful to predict the duration of hospitalization in oncologic patients? M.J. Molina-Garrido ∗ , C. Guillén-Ponce, M. Guirado-Risueño, M.A. Molina, M.J. Molina, A. Carrato. Oncology Service, General Universitary Hospital in Elche (Alicante), Spain Objectives: Oncologic patients must be hospitalised many times along the disease because diverse reasons. It could be useful to distinguish between the different causes which can prolong the hospitalisation. Charlson index is used in Internal Medicine to discrimine between some patients and another. We have made this study to discover if this index is useful or not for hospitalised oncologic patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of oncologic patients who had been hospitalised between 1 and 31 of January in 2007. We analysed descriptive variables and Charlson index and it has been used SPSS 11.0 for Windows for statistical analysis. Results: 84 patients. Median age: 71,77 years (average 69,13 years; IC 95%: 66,30–71,95). 67,9% were men (n=57). Kind of tumor: 22,6% lung cancer, 20,2% gynaecological cancer (breast cancer not included), 15,5% cancer of the digestive tract. Tumoral stage: 56% stage III and 64% stage IV. Reason for hospitalisation: Symptoms secondary to tumor: 22,0% (n=18), chemotherapy toxicity: 17,1% (n=14), palliative care 14,6% (n=12). Performance status: ECOG 2–3 67,9%. Charlson index: between 2 and 15. 54,8% of patients had values between 6 and 8. Regression analysis: (ANOVA p=0,041); age: p=0,041; sex: p=0,088; kind of tumor: p=0,412; tumoral stage: p=0,493; performance status: p=0,263, Charlson index: p=0,561. Conclusions: Most frequent reason for hospitalisation in oncologic patient was symptomatology for the own tumor; chemotherapy toxicity was the second most frequent one. No patients with tumoral stages I or II need stay in hospital for any cause. Most of hospitalised patients were lung cancer patients. Just age is associated to duration of hospitalisation in oncologic patients (p=0,041). Charlson index is not a good predictor of hospital permanence (p=0,561) for oncologic patients.
P.24 Analysis of use of comprehensive geriatric assessment in elderly cancer patients in a universitary hospital M.J. Molina-Garrido ∗ , C. Guillén-Ponce, M. Guirado-Risueño, M.J. Molina, M.A. Molina, A. Carrato. Department of Oncology. General Universitary Hospital from Elche, Alicante, Spain Background: The incidence of cancer increases with age. At present, 50% of all malignancies occur in persons aged 65 years and older; if the current demographic trends continue, by the year 2020, 60% of all malignancies may affect the elderly. Older patients are not simply old, but are geriatric patients because of interacting psychosocial and
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physical problems. As a consequence, the health status of old persons cannot be evaluated by merely describing the single disease or the group of age. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been used during the past 15 years to estimate the functional reserve and the life expectancy of an older person and to detect functional, medical, social, rehabilitative and nutritional needs. We have tested the performance of a new Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and its relationship with groups of age in cancer patients in Universitary Hospital in Elche. Methods: Between June 2006 and January 2007, a total of 73 oncologic patients older than 74 years were approached to enrol in our study to analyze their functional, physical, mental, and pharmacotherapeutic state and to correlate them to some groups of age: youngest-old (74 to 80 years-old), old-old (80 and 85 years-old) and oldest-old (older than 85 years). They were analysed Activities of Daily Living (ADL) measured by Barthel Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) measured by Lawton-Brody Scale, Grade of Fragility measured by Barber Scale, cognitive evaluation measured by Pfeiffer Test, number of geriatric syndromes, and medication intake. A Chi Squared test was used for statistical analysis; p-value <0,05 was considered significant. Results: Median age was 80,49 years (range 74 to 88,12). 50,7% were female. Breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer were the most frequent kind of tumors (65,7%). 33 patients (47,1%) were aged between 75 and 80 years old; 27 patients (38,6%) were between 80 and 85 years-old and the remaining 10 were older than 85 years-old. There was statistic significative association between groups of age and Pfeiffer Test (p=0,0275) and medication intake (p=0,0125). However, there was no statistic significance between groups of age and Barthel Scale (p=0,107), Lawton-Brody Scale (p=0,2565), Barber Scale (p=0,121) or number of geriatric syndromes (p=0,203). Conclusions: This abstract reviews the findings regarding the correlation between a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and groups of age in older patients with cancer. Barthel Scale is not lower in younger oncologic patients, Lawton-Brody Scale is not higher in older people, Barber Scale is not higher in eldest oncologic patients and there are no more number of geriatric syndromes in oldest-old group. Age per se must not be the only criterion for medical decision as it is not correlated to the health status of older cancer patients. Thus, CGA should be implemented in clinical practice.
P.25 Is the social status associated to the risk of malnutrition in older cancer patients? M.J. Molina-Garrido, C. Guillén-Ponce, M. Guirado-Risueño, M.J. Molina, M.A. Molina, A. Carrato. Medical Oncology Department, Elche University Hospital, Alicante, Spain Background: About 40–80% of oncologic patients present desnutrition. When a oncologic patient has a good nutritional status, the quality of live improves, and chemotherapy is better tolerated and is more effective against the tumor. Risk of malnutrition in patients with cancer depends on some citokines secreted by the tumor and on the type of cancer (gastric, esophagic or head and neck tumors are usually associated to bad nutritional status). To the author’s knowledge, few data currently are available regarding the relationship between the social situation of the patient, measured by “Gijon Scale (GS)”, and the risk of malnutrition, measured by the “Nutrition Screening Inititative (NSI)” in older cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical histories of oncologic patients with 70 or more years old was performed. The SPSS 11.0 for Windows statistics program was used. Chi-square test was used to correlate the qualitative variables. Results: 64 oncologic patients, older than 70 years old, were recruited in this analysis (age average: 80,32 years, median: 80,18 years; range: 73,95–87,02). 51,6% were women (n=33). 46,8% were between 70 and 80 years old; 41,9% were between 80 and 85 years old; 11,3% were older than 85 years old. There was just a case of gastric cancer.
Posters / Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 64 (2007) S35–S49
toxicity was neutropenia (3.4% for docetaxel; 27.8% for vinorelbine; p=0.0001). Other toxicities were mild, well tolerated and similar for both groups with the exception of asthenia grade 2 (8.6% for docetaxel; 24.1% for vinorelbine; p=0.026). Conclusion: Docetaxel improves survival compared with vinorelbine in good performance status elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Both regimens were well tolerated.
P.20 An attempt to correlate “comprehensive geriatric assessment” (CGA), treatment assignment and clinical outcome in elderly cancer patients: results of a phase II open study E. Massa, C. Madeddu, G. Astara, M. Pisano, C. Spiga, F.M. Tanca, E. Sanna, I. Puddu, E. Patteri, G. Lamonica, L. Deiana, G. Mantovani ∗ . Department of Medical Oncology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy Purpose of the study: To assess the correlation of different CGA categories with different treatment administered and clinical outcome. The ultimate goal was to verify whether an appropriate treatment given to elderly cancer patients according to their CGA category could translate into a better clinical outcome, i.e. objective clinical response, performance status (ECOG PS), and toxicity. Summarized description of the project: A phase II open, prospective non randomized study carried out on 114 elderly cancer patients hospitalized/treated at the Department of Medical Oncology, University of Cagliari, Italy. Patients were assigned to 3 different CGA categories: fit, intermediate and frail. An appropriate treatment was administered according to CGA category assigned and the clinical outcome was assessed. All patients underwent CGA evaluation. The clinical outcome after 3 months of treatment was defined as objective clinical response, ECOG PS and toxicity. The difference of clinical outcome variables between the CGA categories were assessed by the ANOVA test. Moreover, the correlation of clinical response with CGA category, ECOG PS, stage and dose intensity was evaluated by Spearman’s t test. Results: A better clinical response was observed in fit patients as compared to both intermediate and frail patients. Treatment toxicity was significantly worse for intermediate patients as compared to fit and frail patients. The correlation analysis showed a significant direct correlation between clinical response, CGA category and dose intensity; subsequently, the multivariate regression analysis showed that the only independent predictive variables of clinical response were CGA category at baseline and dose intensity. Conclusions: The main conclusion of our study is that the CGA category is the only true independent variable predictive of clinical outcome, as the other variables (dose intensity and ECOG PS) are correlated to it. The most relevant aspect of the study is the new approach in the use of CGA.
P.21 Implementing a geriatric screening tool in the outpatient oncology unit: the challenge of the Centre intégré de lutte contre le Cancer de Montérégie (CICM) C. Mimeault ∗ , M. Billy, J. Latreille, A. Plante, C. Terret, and the interdisciplinary team of the Centre Intégré de lutte contre le Cancer de Montérégie. Centre Intégré de lutte contre le Cancer de Montérégie, France Purpose of the study: The management of the elderly cancer population remains a challenge given the huge heterogeneity of patient health status. The spectrum of disability ranges from those who are healthy and independent to those who are at high risk of functional decline. Thus, cancer treatment decisions may vary according to the patient’s health status. The interdisciplinary team of the CICM have designed a specific instrument to characterize the level of impairment of each older
individual among cancer patients referred to the oncology outpatient unit Patients and methods: a pilot study is being conducted since January 2007 to determine the feasibility of the screening tool. The study population includes patients aged 70 years and older with a new diagnosis of cancer who were referred to the oncology outpatient unit at Charles LeMoyne Hospital, Greenfield Park, Canada. Patients were asked to complete both a self-administered questionnaire and a nurse-led questionnaire, which look at major geriatric domains including functional capacity, nutritional status, physical and mental health, co morbidity, medication, and social situation. Results and conclusion: 56 patients (30 females, 26 males) completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 78 years (70–88). Breast cancer, colorectal cancer and lung cancer were the 3 major tumor types. In our population sample, we observed that 15 patients lived alone, 27 were required daily assistance. Twenty two had a physical disability or were at risk of fall, 30 had sensory problems. Twenty two and 34 patients were dependent respectively in ADL and in IADL. Cognitive disorders were suspected in 20 patients; 17 patients had depressive symptoms. Twenty seven patients had 3 or more co morbidities, 30 patients took 3 or more drugs per day. Finally, 21 patients considered that their overall quality of life was poor. This questionnaire appeared to be understandable, well accepted by the older patients. Missing data were uncommon. We detected multiple geriatric impairments in elderly cancer patients. Further studies are necessary to validate the screening tool, define appropriate geriatric intervention strategies and to determine their impact on outcomes of the elderly cancer patient population.
P.22 Colorectal cancer screening barriers in the elderly D.M. Mladen ∗ ,1 , M.P. Dragoslav 1 , P. Erceg 1 , N. Despotovic 1 , P. Svorcan 2 , M. Kreacic 3 . 1 KBC Zvezdara, Center of Geriatric Medicine, Beograd, Presevska, Serbia; 2 KBC Zvezdara, Center of Gastroenterology, Beograd, Dimitrija Tucovica, Serbia; 3 Oncology Institute of Serbia, Beograd, Pasterova, Serbia Poor understanding of the screening procedures is one of the greatest problems in early detection of the colorectal cancer. The other problem is related to, what is in developed countries called the cost/benefit issue, and in the under-developed countries simply the issue of cost, which is extra high. Regarding the cost/benefits ratio, there is a rationale to invest in the screening procedure. Developing countries have a dilemma in terms of how to incorporate the high standards of medical care and the low economies. If one does not have enough financial support for screening, one is left with two choices – either to modify the standards of the screening method or to reduce the number of investigated patients. The most important thing to be done, however, is to influence and change the public’s opinion regarding the screening procedures. In our research the results have shown that patients hospitalized because of other illnesses that did not include digestive tract ones, think of screening as acceptable. Purpose of the study: To explore the problems in the screening of colorectal carcinoma in the elderly. Descriptions of the project: Three models of colorectal cancer prevention were examined: standard screening, active check-up of suspected cases and summons to have endoscopic checkup for previously diagnosed colorectal polyps. The study was performed among three groups of elderly individuals: Group 1 (167 cases), hospitalized asymptomatic individuals without symptoms in large intestines. Group 2 (612 cases): old individuals at home for the aged, out of which 32 showed symptoms of colon disorders; Group 3 (44 cases): elderly people with diagnosed polyps. As a result of 1788 rectosigmoidoscopies, we identified 61 individuals with polyps, out of which 44 patients were over 65 years old. However,
Posters / Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 64 (2007) S35–S49 only 9 of these 44 individuals agreed to have the endoscopy performed again. Results: One cancer and 13 polyps were detected in Group 1, and two polyps in Group 2. However, it should be noted that only eleven individuals from Group 2 agreed to have the endoscopy. In Group 3, there were no relapses of the polyps among the nine individuals who came back for the endoscopy. Conclusion: Poor understanding of the screening procedures is one of the greatest problems in early detection of the cancer in the aged. Paradoxically, the cooperation is better with hospitalized patients, than with “successfully old” persons. This acceptance can be hypothetically interpreted as an acceptance of the ambience in which there are different diagnostic procedures taking place, or the fact that they are dealing with serious illnesses in hospital, but also as a result of the urging of patients to undergo the analysis by doctors and other medical workers.
P.23 Is Charlson index useful to predict the duration of hospitalization in oncologic patients? M.J. Molina-Garrido ∗ , C. Guillén-Ponce, M. Guirado-Risueño, M.A. Molina, M.J. Molina, A. Carrato. Oncology Service, General Universitary Hospital in Elche (Alicante), Spain Objectives: Oncologic patients must be hospitalised many times along the disease because diverse reasons. It could be useful to distinguish between the different causes which can prolong the hospitalisation. Charlson index is used in Internal Medicine to discrimine between some patients and another. We have made this study to discover if this index is useful or not for hospitalised oncologic patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of oncologic patients who had been hospitalised between 1 and 31 of January in 2007. We analysed descriptive variables and Charlson index and it has been used SPSS 11.0 for Windows for statistical analysis. Results: 84 patients. Median age: 71,77 years (average 69,13 years; IC 95%: 66,30–71,95). 67,9% were men (n=57). Kind of tumor: 22,6% lung cancer, 20,2% gynaecological cancer (breast cancer not included), 15,5% cancer of the digestive tract. Tumoral stage: 56% stage III and 64% stage IV. Reason for hospitalisation: Symptoms secondary to tumor: 22,0% (n=18), chemotherapy toxicity: 17,1% (n=14), palliative care 14,6% (n=12). Performance status: ECOG 2–3 67,9%. Charlson index: between 2 and 15. 54,8% of patients had values between 6 and 8. Regression analysis: (ANOVA p=0,041); age: p=0,041; sex: p=0,088; kind of tumor: p=0,412; tumoral stage: p=0,493; performance status: p=0,263, Charlson index: p=0,561. Conclusions: Most frequent reason for hospitalisation in oncologic patient was symptomatology for the own tumor; chemotherapy toxicity was the second most frequent one. No patients with tumoral stages I or II need stay in hospital for any cause. Most of hospitalised patients were lung cancer patients. Just age is associated to duration of hospitalisation in oncologic patients (p=0,041). Charlson index is not a good predictor of hospital permanence (p=0,561) for oncologic patients.
P.24 Analysis of use of comprehensive geriatric assessment in elderly cancer patients in a universitary hospital M.J. Molina-Garrido ∗ , C. Guillén-Ponce, M. Guirado-Risueño, M.J. Molina, M.A. Molina, A. Carrato. Department of Oncology. General Universitary Hospital from Elche, Alicante, Spain Background: The incidence of cancer increases with age. At present, 50% of all malignancies occur in persons aged 65 years and older; if the current demographic trends continue, by the year 2020, 60% of all malignancies may affect the elderly. Older patients are not simply old, but are geriatric patients because of interacting psychosocial and
S43
physical problems. As a consequence, the health status of old persons cannot be evaluated by merely describing the single disease or the group of age. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been used during the past 15 years to estimate the functional reserve and the life expectancy of an older person and to detect functional, medical, social, rehabilitative and nutritional needs. We have tested the performance of a new Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and its relationship with groups of age in cancer patients in Universitary Hospital in Elche. Methods: Between June 2006 and January 2007, a total of 73 oncologic patients older than 74 years were approached to enrol in our study to analyze their functional, physical, mental, and pharmacotherapeutic state and to correlate them to some groups of age: youngest-old (74 to 80 years-old), old-old (80 and 85 years-old) and oldest-old (older than 85 years). They were analysed Activities of Daily Living (ADL) measured by Barthel Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) measured by Lawton-Brody Scale, Grade of Fragility measured by Barber Scale, cognitive evaluation measured by Pfeiffer Test, number of geriatric syndromes, and medication intake. A Chi Squared test was used for statistical analysis; p-value <0,05 was considered significant. Results: Median age was 80,49 years (range 74 to 88,12). 50,7% were female. Breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer were the most frequent kind of tumors (65,7%). 33 patients (47,1%) were aged between 75 and 80 years old; 27 patients (38,6%) were between 80 and 85 years-old and the remaining 10 were older than 85 years-old. There was statistic significative association between groups of age and Pfeiffer Test (p=0,0275) and medication intake (p=0,0125). However, there was no statistic significance between groups of age and Barthel Scale (p=0,107), Lawton-Brody Scale (p=0,2565), Barber Scale (p=0,121) or number of geriatric syndromes (p=0,203). Conclusions: This abstract reviews the findings regarding the correlation between a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and groups of age in older patients with cancer. Barthel Scale is not lower in younger oncologic patients, Lawton-Brody Scale is not higher in older people, Barber Scale is not higher in eldest oncologic patients and there are no more number of geriatric syndromes in oldest-old group. Age per se must not be the only criterion for medical decision as it is not correlated to the health status of older cancer patients. Thus, CGA should be implemented in clinical practice.
P.25 Is the social status associated to the risk of malnutrition in older cancer patients? M.J. Molina-Garrido, C. Guillén-Ponce, M. Guirado-Risueño, M.J. Molina, M.A. Molina, A. Carrato. Medical Oncology Department, Elche University Hospital, Alicante, Spain Background: About 40–80% of oncologic patients present desnutrition. When a oncologic patient has a good nutritional status, the quality of live improves, and chemotherapy is better tolerated and is more effective against the tumor. Risk of malnutrition in patients with cancer depends on some citokines secreted by the tumor and on the type of cancer (gastric, esophagic or head and neck tumors are usually associated to bad nutritional status). To the author’s knowledge, few data currently are available regarding the relationship between the social situation of the patient, measured by “Gijon Scale (GS)”, and the risk of malnutrition, measured by the “Nutrition Screening Inititative (NSI)” in older cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical histories of oncologic patients with 70 or more years old was performed. The SPSS 11.0 for Windows statistics program was used. Chi-square test was used to correlate the qualitative variables. Results: 64 oncologic patients, older than 70 years old, were recruited in this analysis (age average: 80,32 years, median: 80,18 years; range: 73,95–87,02). 51,6% were women (n=33). 46,8% were between 70 and 80 years old; 41,9% were between 80 and 85 years old; 11,3% were older than 85 years old. There was just a case of gastric cancer.