scholarly journals INNV-11. GLIOBLASTOMA IN THE OLDER PERSON – HOW DO WE DECIDE ON TREATMENT?

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii118-ii118
Author(s):  
Cressida Lorimer ◽  
Anthony Chalmers ◽  
Margaret Johnson ◽  
Juliet Brock

Abstract The incidence of glioblastoma (GBM) peaks in the 7th and 8th decades of life. Multiple treatment options exist for older patients with GBM however, the assessment of older patients prior to treatment decisions is poorly researched and lacks standardization. In order to address this issue we performed a cross-sectional electronic survey distributed to all full members of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. There were 116 respondents from a total of 1515 recipients (8% response rate). The survey was distributed during the peak of COVID-19 which undoubtedly affected response rates. 97% of respondents were clinicians with 86% academic. 72% had been in practice > 10 years and the majority saw 5–10 new GBM cases per month. 95% of respondents were from the USA, with involvement from Japan, Australia, Canada and Italy. 37% of respondents routinely perform a cognitive or frailty screening test. Of these, MMSE and MoCA were the most commonly used. Of those who performed a screening test, the majority reported that the results changed their treatment decision in approximately 50% of cases. 50% of respondents have access to a multidisciplinary team during their clinic, with physical therapy being the most available. When making treatment decisions, participants ranked performance status as the most important clinical factor. Considering the heterogeneity of this patient population, we argue that performance status is a crude measure of vulnerability within this cohort. In the first survey of this kind, we have shown a disparity in assessment techniques across the international neuro-oncology field and the impact performing a cognitive screen has on decision making. Older patients with GBM represent a unique clinical scenario because of the complexity of distinguishing neuro- oncology related symptoms from general frailty. There is a need for specific geriatric assessment models tailored to the older neuro-oncology population in order to facilitate treatment decisions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii186-ii186
Author(s):  
O’Dell Patrick ◽  
H Nickols ◽  
R LaRocca ◽  
K Sinicrope ◽  
D Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients who have recurrent glioblastoma have limited treatment options. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with recurrent glioblastoma treated with standard initial radiation and temozolomide with tumor treating fields to investigate whether reirradiation using radiosurgery would be associated with improved outcomes. METHODS We reviewed the records of 54 consecutively treated patients with recurrent glioblastoma with ECOG 0 or 1 at recurrence and conducted Kaplan-Meier analysis with Log-rank testing to determine significance between groups. RESULTS We identified 24 patients who were treated without radiation therapy (control) while 30 patients underwent re-irradiation using radiosurgery (ReSRS) with a median total dose of 25Gy in five fractions. All patients had completed standard initial therapy, and there was no difference in the time to recurrence between the two groups (10 months for control, 15 months for ReSRS, [P = 0.17, HR for progression 0.65 (95% CI 0.38-1.13)]. A larger proportion of patients in the control arm (54%) had subtotal or gross total resection of the recurrence compared with the ReSRS group (44%, P < 0.05). The majority of patients had recurrence confirmed with biopsy (18/22 in control group, 25/31 in the ReSRS group). MGMT methylation status did not differ between control vs ReSRS (29% vs. 27%). ReSRS was associated with improved median survival from the time of first recurrence of 11.6 months versus 3.8 months in the control arm [P< 0.0001, HR for death 0.33 (95% CI 0.18-0.6)]. CONCLUSIONS In a group of patients with high performance status diagnosed with recurrent glioblastoma, reirradiation with stereotactic radiosurgery was associated with nearly one year median survival after recurrence. Additional analyses are warranted to determine the impact of concurrent systemic therapies with irradiation and underlying tumor or patient factors to predict outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9544-9544
Author(s):  
Nienke A De Glas ◽  
Esther Bastiaannet ◽  
Frederiek van den Bos ◽  
Simon Mooijaart ◽  
Astrid Aplonia Maria Van Der Veldt ◽  
...  

9544 Background: Checkpoint inhibitors have strongly improved survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. Trials suggest no differences in outcomes between older and younger patients, but only relatively young patients with a good performance status were included in these trials. The aim of this study was to describe treatment patterns and outcomes of older adults with metastatic melanoma, and to identify predictors of outcome. Methods: We included all patients aged ≥65 years with metastatic melanoma between 2013 and 2020 from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment registry (DMTR), in which detailed information on patients, treatments and outcomes is available. We assessed predictors of grade ≥3 toxicity and 6-months response using logistic regression models, and melanoma-specific and overall survival using Cox regression models. Additionally, we described reasons for hospital admissions and treatment discontinuation. Results: A total of 2216 patients were included. Grade ≥3 toxicity did not increase with age, comorbidity or WHO performance status, in patients treated with monotherapy (anti-PD1 or ipilimumab) or combination treatment. However, patients aged ≥75 were admitted more frequently and discontinued treatment due to toxicity more often. Six months-response rates were similar to previous randomized trials (40.3% and 43.6% in patients aged 65-75 and ≥75 respectively for anti-PD1 treatment) and were not affected by age or comorbidity. Melanoma-specific survival was not affected by age or comorbidity, but age, comorbidity and WHO performance status were associated with overall survival in multivariate analyses. Conclusions: Toxicity, response and melanoma-specific survival were not associated with age or comorbidity status. Treatment with immunotherapy should therefore not be omitted solely based on age or comorbidity. However, the impact of grade I-II toxicity in older patients deserves further study as older patients discontinue treatment more frequently and receive less treatment cycles.[Table: see text]


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Fudeyasu ◽  
Takuo Nomura ◽  
Toshihiro Kawae ◽  
Daisuke Iwaki ◽  
Yuki Nakashima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Although it has already been reported that chronic liver disease (CLD) can induce sarcopenia, the impact of sarcopenia, especially on motor function, in older patients with CLD is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of liver fibrosis on motor function in these patients.Methods: In all, 117 older patients with CLD aged above 60 years (men, n=70; women, n=47) were included in this study. We examined the presence or absence of sarcopenia and checked motor functions such as muscle strength and walking speed. The results were compared between patients with FIB-4 index of >3.25, indicative of severe-degree liver fibrosis (SLF), and those with an index of <3.25, indicative of low-degree liver fibrosis (LLF). We also analyzed the factors related to the decrease in gait speed.Results: The decrease in gait speed (<1.0 m/s) was significantly higher (P = 0.027) and the knee extension force (KEF) was significantly lower (P = 0.010) in men with SLF than in those with LLF. In this study, liver fibrosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56–0.90) and KEF (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02–1.16) were identified as factors associated with the decrease in gait speed.Conclusions: Older male patients with CLD have decreased motor function as the disease progresses. We found that the decrease in gait speed is related to liver fibrosis and KEF. It is necessary to focus on the motor function of older patients with CLD, especially the gait speed.


Author(s):  
Martin H.N. Tattersall ◽  
David W. Kissane

The respect of a patient’s autonomous rights within the model of patient-centred care has led to shared decision-making, rather than more paternalistic care. Understanding patient needs, preferences, and lifestyle choices are central to developing shared treatment decisions. Patients can be prepared through the use of question prompt sheets and other decision aids. Audio-recording of informative consultations further helps. A variety of factors like the patient’s age, tumour type and stage of disease, an available range of similar treatment options, and their risk-benefit ratios will impact on the use of shared decision-making. Modifiable barriers to shared decision-making can be identified. Teaching shared decision-making includes the practice of agenda setting, use of partnership statements, clarification of patient preferences, varied approaches to explaining potential treatment benefits and risks, review of patient values and lifestyle factors, and checking patient understanding–this sequence helps both clinicians and patients to optimally reach a shared treatment decision.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 290-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Mazzucco ◽  
Linxin Li ◽  
Maria A. Tuna ◽  
Sarah T. Pendlebury ◽  
Rhoda Frost ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The impact of time-of-day on the cognitive performance of older patients with limited cognitive reserve after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, and on short cognitive tests, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), is unknown. We retrospectively studied whether morning versus afternoon assessment might affect the classification of patients aged 70 or older as severe (SCI), mild (MCI), and no (NCI) cognitive impairment by the MoCA. Methods: Morning (12 p.m. or earlier) versus afternoon (later than 12 p.m.) proportions of SCI (MoCA score <20), MCI (MoCA score 25-20) and NCI (MoCA score ≥26) were compared in a cohort of patients aged ≥70, attending a rapid-access TIA/stroke clinic. Results: Of 278 patients, 113 (40.6%) were tested in the morning and 165 (59.4%) in the afternoon. The proportion with SCI was greater in the afternoon than in the morning (10.9 vs. 1.8%, respectively, p = 0.004), with no difference in age, education, diagnosis, disability, or vascular risk factors. Conclusions: Time-of-day appears to affect cognitive performance of older patients after they undergo TIA and minor stroke. If our cross-sectional findings are confirmed in cross-over studies with repeated testing, timing of assessments should be considered in clinical practice and in research studies.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2246-2246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kah Poh Loh ◽  
Sindhuja Kadambi ◽  
Supriya G. Mohile ◽  
Jason H. Mendler ◽  
Jane L. Liesveld ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Despite data supporting the safety and efficacy of treatment for many older adults with AML, <40% of adults aged ≥65 receive any leukemia-directed therapy. The reasons for why the majority of older patients with AML do not receive therapy are unclear. The use of objective fitness measures (e.g. physical function and cognition) has been shown to predict outcomes and may assist with treatment decision-making, but is underutilized. As most patients are initially evaluated in community practices, exploring clinical decision-making and the barriers to performing objective fitness assessments in the community oncology setting is critical to understanding current patterns of care. We conducted a qualitative study: 1) to identify factors that influence treatment decision making from the perspectives of the community oncologists and older patients with AML, and 2) to understand the barriers to performing objective fitness assessments among oncologists. The findings will help to inform the design of a larger study to assess real-life treatment decision-making among community oncologists and patients. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 community oncologists (9 states) and 9 patients aged ≥60 with AML at any stage of treatment to elicit potential factors that influence treatment decisions. Patients were recruited from the outpatient clinics in a single institution and oncologists were recruited via email using purposive samples (patients: based on treatment received and stage of treatment; oncologists: based on practice location). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We utilized directed content analysis and adapted the decision-making model introduced by Zafar et al. to serve as a framework for categorizing the factors at various levels. A codebook was provisionally developed. Using Atlas.ti, two investigators independently coded the initial transcripts and resolved any discrepancies through an iterative process. The coding scheme was subsequently applied to the rest of the transcripts by one coder. Results: Median age of the oncologists was 37 years (range 34-64); 62% were females, 92% were white, 38% had practiced more than 15 years, and 92% reported seeing <10 older patients with AML annually. Median age of the patients was 70 years (64-80), 33% were females and all were Caucasian. In terms of treatment, 66% received intensive induction therapy, 22% received low-intensity treatment, and 11% received both. Three patients also received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Eighty-nine percent were initially evaluated and 56% were initially treated by a community oncologist. Factors that influenced treatment decision-making are shown in Figure 1. When making treatment decisions, both patients and oncologists considered factors such as patient's overall health, chronological age, comorbidities, insurance coverage, treatment efficacy and tolerability, and distance to treatment center. Nonetheless, there were distinct factors considered by patients (e.g. quality of care and facility, trust in their oncologist/team) and by oncologists (e.g. local practice patterns, availability of transplant/clinical trials, their own clinical expertise and beliefs) when making treatment decisions. The majority of oncologists do not perform an objective assessment of fitness. Most common reasons provided included: 1) Do not add much to routine assessments (N=8), 2) Lack of time, resources, and expertise (N=7), 3) Lack of awareness of the tools or the evidence to support its use (N=4), 4) Specifics are not important (e.g. impairments are clinically apparent and further nuance is not necessarily helpful; N=5), 5) Impairments are usually performed by other team members (N=2), and 6) Do not want to rely on scores (N=2). Conclusions: Treatment decision-making for older patients with AML is complex and influenced by many factors at the patient, disease/treatment, physician, and organizational levels. Despite studies supporting the utility of objective fitness assessments, these were not commonly performed in the community due to several barriers. Our framework will be useful to guide a larger study to assess real-life treatment decision-making in the community settings. We also identified several barriers raised by community oncologists that could be targeted to allow incorporation of objective fitness assessments. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures Liesveld: Onconova: Other: DSMB; Abbvie: Honoraria. Stock:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Majhail:Anthem, Inc.: Consultancy; Atara: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria. Wildes:Janssen: Research Funding. Klepin:Genentech Inc: Consultancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 1101-1111
Author(s):  
Andreas Schneeweiss ◽  
Peter A. Fasching ◽  
Tanja Fehm ◽  
Bernd Gerber ◽  
Christian Jackisch ◽  
...  

AbstractTherapy options shown in the algorithms are based on the current AGO recommendations, but cannot represent all evidence-based treatment options, since prior therapies, performance status, comorbidities, patient preference, etc. must be taken into account for the actual treatment choice. In individual cases, other evidence-based treatment options may also be appropriate and justified. Regardless of approval status, the algorithms only take into account drugs that were available in Germany at the time the algorithm was last updated. Here we present the 2021 update of AGO treatment algorithms for early and metastatic breast cancer, which are intended to intensify structured treatment decision by providing reproducible and evidence-based treatment paths and may be helpful for a broad treatment landscape.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4787-4787
Author(s):  
Julie Olson ◽  
Shauna McManus ◽  
Melissa F. Miller ◽  
Thomas W. LeBlanc ◽  
Eva Yuen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Over the past decade, an increase in treatment options for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has dramatically changed the therapeutic landscape and has improved clinical outcomes. This abundance of treatment options may make it difficult for CML patients to feel knowledgeable about what options are available to them, may hinder patients' preparedness for having conversations about treatment, and, similarly, may contribute to patients feeling less involved in treatment decision making (TDM). In light of this changing landscape, we explored whether the TDM experience was linked to satisfaction with treatment outcomes in a national sample of CML patients. Methods: Using data from the Cancer Support Community's Cancer Experience Registry®, our analytic sample included 310 participants who reported CML as their primary diagnosis. The dependent variable in all analyses was a dichotomous, patient-reported indicator of satisfaction with treatment outcomes (satisfied or not satisfied). Our independent variables include three measures that capture the TDM experience: feeling involved in the TDM process; feeling knowledgeable about treatment options prior to making treatment decisions; and, feeling prepared to discuss treatment options with one's doctor. Respondents ranked TDM knowledge, preparedness, and involvement from 0 = "not at all" to 4 = "very much." Responses were dichotomized such that 1 = "quite a bit" or "very much" and 0 = "not at all," "a little bit" or "somewhat." Analytically, we compared patients who reported high satisfaction with treatment outcomes to those who reported low satisfaction, using Student's t-test. Then, we estimated multivariate logistic regression models predicting odds of being satisfied with treatment outcome by TDM knowledge, preparedness, and involvement. Regression models controlled for demographic characteristics including age, gender, and race; clinical factors such as time since diagnosis and symptom burden; treatment-related measures including financial impact of treatment; and the degree to which individuals felt their health care teams prepared them to manage treatment side effects. Results: Descriptively, our sample was 65% female and 87% non-Hispanic White, with an average age of 56.6 years (SD = 12) and mean time since diagnosis of 6 years (SD = 5). Most (74%) reported being "quite a bit" to "very much satisfied" with their treatment outcomes. Experiences with TDM, however, were variable. When making treatment decisions, 52% reported feeling involved, 41% reported feeling knowledgeable, and 21% felt prepared. Importantly, t-test results suggested that individuals with greater involvement, more knowledge, and higher preparedness were significantly more likely to report satisfaction with treatment outcomes. Results of the multivariate models demonstrated a greater likelihood of treatment satisfaction among individuals who felt prepared to discuss treatment options with their health care team, even after controlling for demographic, clinical, and treatment-related characteristics. In fact, prepared individuals were nearly 6 times as likely to be satisfied with their treatment outcomes, as compared to individuals who did not feel prepared to discuss treatment options (p < .05). Conclusion: Most of our patients with CML did not feel prepared to make treatment decisions. However, those who feel more prepared to discuss treatment options with their doctors are also more likely to report satisfaction with treatment outcomes. As new CML treatment options become available, our results highlight the need for an increased focus on shared decision making in clinical practice. This may necessitate providing patients with more resources to help prepare them for treatment-related conversations. Disclosures Birhiray: Takeda: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Genomic Health: Patents & Royalties; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Consultancy; Puma: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Norvatis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eli-Lilly: Speakers Bureau; Excelis: Speakers Bureau; Clovis Oncology: Speakers Bureau; Sanofi Oncology: Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau; Tessaro: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Helsinn: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwanghee Jun ◽  
Yujin Kim ◽  
Young-Mi Ah ◽  
Ju-Yeun Lee

Abstract Background Cautious use or avoidance of hyponatraemia-inducing medications (HIMs) is recommended in older patients with hyponatraemia. Objective To evaluate the use of HIMs after treatment for symptomatic or severe hyponatraemia and to investigate the impact of HIMs on the recurrence of symptomatic or severe hyponatraemia in older patients. Design and settings A cross-sectional and nested case–control study using data obtained from national insurance claims databases. Methods The rate of prescribing HIMs during the 3 months before and after the established index date was analysed in a cross-sectional analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between HIM use and recurrence of symptomatic or severe hyponatraemia after adjusting for covariates in a case–control study. Results The cross-sectional study included 1,072 patients treated for symptomatic or severe hyponatraemia. The proportion of patients prescribed any HIMs after hyponatraemia treatment decreased from 76.9 to 70.1%. The prescription rates significantly decreased for thiazide diuretics (from 41.9 to 20.8%) and desmopressin (from 8.6 to 4.0%), but the proportion of patients prescribed antipsychotics increased from 9.2 to 17.1%. Of 32,717 patients diagnosed with hyponatraemia, 913 (2.8%) showed recurrent hyponatraemia. After adjusting for comorbid conditions, the use of any HIMs including proton pump inhibitors [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.57] and two or more HIMs (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.22–1.78) especially in combination with thiazide diuretics increased the likelihood of severe hyponatraemia recurrence. Conclusions Prevalent use of HIMs after treatment for symptomatic or severe hyponatraemia and multiple HIM use increase the risk of recurrent hyponatraemia in geriatric patients.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 15-15
Author(s):  
Clement K. Ho ◽  
Joseph D. Ruether ◽  
Bryan J Donnelly ◽  
Marc Kerba

15 Background: Treatment decisions in localized prostate cancer (LPCa) are complicated by the variety of available options. A rapid access cancer clinic (RAC) has been unique to Calgary, Alberta (AB) since 2007. RAC offers multidisciplinary prostate cancer care by a urologist, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist. It is hypothesized that treatment utilization data from decisions taken at RAC may serve to benchmark the appropriateness of treatment decisions on a population level. Objectives: To compare utilization rates for initial treatment of LPCa between AB and RAC. Methods: Records of patients with clinically LPCa in AB between 2007-9 were reviewed with ethics approval. Records were linked to the AB cancer registry database. Clinical, treatment and health services characteristics pertaining to patients attending RAC were compared to those managed elsewhere in AB. The primary endpoints were utilization rates by initial treatment; prostatectomy (P), radiotherapy (RT), hormone therapy (H), active surveillance (A). A logistics regression model was constructed to examine the influence of RAC on initial treatment decisions, while controlling for interactions and factors of interest. Results: 2,660 patients were diagnosed with LPCa. 375 presented to RAC. Utilization rates among RAC patients: P-60.3% (95%CI: 55.3-65.2), A-16%(12.3-19.7), RT-11.7%(8.5-15.0) and H-8.0%(CI:5.2-10.8). This compares to AB rates of P-47.2%(45.9-48.3), A-6.1%(15.2-17.0), RT-18.8%(17.9-19.7), and H-14.5%(13.6-15.4). On multivariate analysis, RAC was associated with a trend towards receiving RT (OR 1.6, p=0.097). Conclusions: A specialized clinic for LPCa may be associated with a higher likelihood of receiving radiotherapy as initial treatment compared to the prostate cancer population in Alberta.


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