Acta oncologica
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The purposes were to investigate the health status of elderly cancer patients by comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and to compare the complications with respect to baseline CGA and to evaluate the need for geriatric interventions in an elderly cancer patients' population. ⋯ Patients (N = 217) with a median age of 75 years (range: 70-93 yeas) were included: 13% were fit, 35% vulnerable, and 52% frail. CGA significantly predicted admittance to hospital in frail and vulnerable patients compared to fit patients: risk ratio (RR) 2.12 (95% CI: 1.01; 4.46). Vulnerable and frail patients had higher absolute risk of death within 90 days compared to fit patients: 7% and 23% versus 0%. HR for death within 90 days in frail patients as compared to vulnerable patients was 3.50 (95% CI: 1.34; 9.15). More frail patients (88%) needed geriatric interventions than the vulnerable (46%) and fit patients (32%). Major conclusion: Few elderly cancer patients seem to be fit. CGA predicts admittance to hospital in a population of elderly patients with mixed cancer diseases. Frail and vulnerable patients have higher risk of death within 90 days as compared to fit patients.
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Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been adopted as the standard of care for inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with local control rates consistently >90%. However, data directly comparing the outcomes of SBRT with those of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CONV) is lacking. ⋯ SBRT compared to CONV is associated with improved LF rates and OS. Our data supports the continued use and expansion of SBRT as the standard of care treatment for inoperable early-stage NSCLC.