Frailty in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Who Are Undergoing Major Surgery

A Descriptive and Comparative Analysis of Frailty in Rural Versus Urban Cancer Patients Undergoing Major Surgical Oncologic Procedures

This research is for patients who have gastrointestinal cancer and have a planned major surgery. The purpose of this research is to identify cancer patients who may be at risk for frailty. Frailty is common in older adults and may include symptoms of weight loss, weakness, fatigue, low activity, slow walking and other illnesses. Frailty may increase the risk of problems after major surgery. The study will involve a survey, a blood sample, and a review of medical records.

The goals of the study are to:

• Describe the rate of frailty in surgical cancer patients
• Assess if frailty correlates with problems (adverse outcomes) after major surgery

Participants taking part will be asked to complete a survey to assess frailty before surgery. The frailty survey is referred to as the Clinical Risk Analysis Index (RAI-C).

Participants will have about 10 ml (2 teaspoons) of blood drawn before surgery. Blood tests will include complete blood count (CBC), vitamin A, creatinine, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), DHEA, albumin, and prealbumin.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years old or older
• histologically proven gastrointestinal malignancy
• referral for elective major surgical procedures at including operations for upper and lower gastrointestinal malignancies and hepato-pancreato-biliary
• referral for neoadjuvant treatment followed by any of the above major surgical procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• under 18 years
• pregnant women