Improving treatment decisions for elderly cancer patients by including their preferences and performing an assessment.

In this study, we aim to include 250 onco-geriatric patients. They undergo a Geriatric Assessment and are interviewed by trained oncology nurses. They are asked to state their treatment goals and preferences using a decision tool. Following inclusion, patients are discussed during a dedicated onco-geriatric multidisciplinary team meeting and a treatment advice is given to their treating consultant based on assessment and interview outcomes. Follow-up takes place 6 months post-treatment.

The majority of newly diagnosed cancer patients are >65 years of age. Elderly patients are more vulnerable than younger ones, due to comorbidities and frailty. Their treatment goals and preferences may also differ greatly. This study uses a stepwise approach to investigate decision-making, comparing tumour board decisions to treatment advice by a multidisciplinary onco-geriatric team meeting.

Geriatric assessment + patient preferences + interview: upon inclusion.



Multidisciplinary onco-geriatric team meeting + patient discussion: up to 1 week after inclusion.



Follow-up interview, GARS, EORTC-QLQ-c30 and EORTC-QLQ-eld14: >6 months post-treatment

Geriatric Assessment including Time Up and Go (TUG), Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS), Groningen Frailty Indixcator (GFI) EORTC QLQ-c30 and eld14; Letterfluency Test, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Patient preference discussion and prioritisation using Options Tool, nurse-led interview.