Improving Quality of Life and Function for Older Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy

This study is a first part of a larger project aiming at improving the following outcomes in older cancer patients receiving external beam radiation therapy (EBRT): quality of life, functioning and need for professional help (dependency). To achieve this, the investigators will develop and test a geriatric assessment (GA) with management (GAM) intervention targeting patients at risk of negative outcomes as defined. The problems and needs that older patients experience before, during and after EBRT are poorly described. Furthermore, although GA is the recommended approach to assess older cancer patients' vulnerability, very few studies have investigated its benefit and feasibility in a radiotherapy setting and there is no universal recipe for how an efficient GAM intervention should be applied in this setting. Before defining and testing an intervention, the investigators will therefore conduct an observational study addressing older patients \>= 65 years referred for either palliative or curative EBRT. The main objectives are to identify patients at risk for negative outcomes, and to test the feasibility of GA in the community service and at a radiotherapy department.

Sex

All

Minimum age

65 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients \>= 65 years of age
* histologically confirmed cancer diagnoses
* referred for palliative or curative EBRT
* living in the hospital catchment area, able to understand and fill in self-report questionnaires
* fluent in Norwegian (orally and in writing), provide written, informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• DERIVEDEriksen GF, Benth JS, Gronberg BH, Rostoft S, Kirkhus L, Kirkevold O, Oldervoll LM, Bye A, Hjelstuen A, Slaaen M. Geriatric impairments are associated with reduced quality of life and physical function in older patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy - A prospective observational study. J Geriatr Oncol. 2023 Jan;14(1):101379. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.09.008. Epub 2022 Sep 27. PMID 36180379
• DERIVEDEriksen GF, Saltyte Benth J, Gronberg BH, Rostoft S, Kirkevold O, Bergh S, Hjelstuen A, Rolfson D, Slaaen M. Cognitive Trajectories in Older Patients with Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy-A Prospective Observational Study. Curr Oncol. 2022 Jul 21;29(7):5164-5178. doi: 10.3390/curroncol29070409. PMID 35877269
• DERIVEDEriksen GF, Saltyte Benth J, Gronberg BH, Rostoft S, Kirkhus L, Kirkevold O, Hjelstuen A, Slaaen M. Geriatric impairments are prevalent and predictive of survival in older patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy: a prospective observational study. Acta Oncol. 2022 Apr;61(4):393-402. doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2021.2009561. Epub 2021 Dec 7. PMID 34874228