Care needs of older patients with advanced cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review This review summarized current research evidence examining care needs of older patients with advanced cancer in dealing with disease, treatment, and treatment-related side effects. It also identified gaps and directions for future research and practice. Recent findings Older patients with advanced cancer need support from health professionals, family, friends, and other social network members in the management of physical symptoms and functioning, psychosocial and spiritual care, information provision, and practical resolution of daily problems. As older patients are affected by aging-related factors, they usually have unique patterns of care needs compared with younger patients. Summary Currently, insufficient research evidence hinders a comprehensive understanding of care needs of older patients with advanced cancer, as well as potential influencing factors. Future efforts are needed to develop more sophisticated assessment methods and interventions to better understand and address care needs of older patients with advanced cancer.

A bibliometric study of the top 100 most cited papers on aging and cancer

“…More sophisticated assessment methods and interventions may help a lot to better understand and address the care needs of these populations. [37] For many cancer types, age-specific prevalence usually peaks between 75 and 90 years. [38,39] Certain types of cancers are prevalent in the older population.…”

“…More sophisticated assessment methods and interventions may help a lot to better understand and address the care needs of these populations. [37]…”

Harnessing the Systemic Biology of Functional Decline and Cachexia to Inform more Holistic Therapies for Incurable Cancers

“…More broadly, cognitive decline is a complex condition in advanced cancer patients, influenced by natural aging, cancer treatments, metastasis, and systemic cancer biology [3,[88][89][90].…”

“…influenced by natural aging, cancer treatments, metastasis, and systemic cancer biolo [3,[88][89][90]. Studies have found that objective assessments and subjective patient-report measures of cognitive decline do not always align, but general symptoms include bra fog, memory failure, and a lack of awareness/attention [91].…”

Supportive and palliative care for older adults with cancer

“…There are many unmet care needs for older adults with cancer, which can differ from younger individuals. Molassiotis et al [5] reviewed the care needs of older adults using the Supportive Care Needs Framework for Cancer Care. Older adults place more value on maintaining independence and often have unmet needs for support related to declines in activities of daily living.…”