Assessment of Frailty in Elderly Patients With Advanced Cancers

Assessment of Frailty in Elderly Patients With Advanced Cancers

This study is looking at the feasibility of performing frailty assessments on elderly patients with advanced cancers

This study is primarily looking to see if it is feasible to assess frailty in patients age 70 years and above with advanced cancers. it is also evaluating whether there may be any correlation between these assessments and toxicity and treatment and outcome.

The assessments include: Frailty score, nutritional assessment, comorbidity score and quality of life. In addition sarcopenia will be assessed using timed walk, grip strength and muscle mass measurement from imaging performed as part of routine clinical care.

The assessments will be performed at baseline, week 12 and week 24.

There is the option for patients to also donate blood samples for research purposes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histological diagnosis of advanced carcinoma - not suitable for curative treatment
• Age 70 years or over
• seen by an oncologist for consideration of palliative systemic medical therapy and decision regarding management already made
• WHO Performance Status 0-2
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hepatocellular cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Breast cancer