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Models of Care in Geriatric Oncology

  • Geriatric Oncology (TM Wildes, Section Editor)
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Abstract

The highest incidence of cancer occurs among older adults, and the approach to cancer treatment and supportive measures in this age group is continuously evolving. Incorporating geriatric assessment (GA) into the care of the older patient with cancer has been shown to be feasible and predictive of outcomes; there are unique aspects of the traditional geriatric domains that can be considered in this population. Geriatric assessment-guided interventions can also be developed to support patients during their treatment course. There are several existing models of incorporating geriatrics into oncology care, including a consultative geriatric assessment, a geriatrician “embedded” within an oncology clinic, and primary management by a dual-trained geriatric oncologist. Although the geriatric assessment is led by a geriatrician or geriatric oncologist, it is a true multidisciplinary assessment, and often includes evaluation by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, social worker, and nutritionist.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging, the National Cancer Institute, and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (R03 AG042342, U10CA37420, and R01 CA177592). The work was also funded by the Susan H. Green Memorial Grant (to Dr. Magnuson) and by the philanthropic donation of Sandy Lloyd to the Geriatric Oncology Program at the James Wilmot Cancer Institute.

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Conflict of Interest

Allison Magnuson, William Dale and Supriya Mohile each declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 704, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Allison Magnuson & Supriya Mohile

  2. University of Chicago, Chicago, Il, 60637, USA

    William Dale

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  1. Allison Magnuson
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  2. William Dale
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Correspondence to Supriya Mohile.

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Magnuson, A., Dale, W. & Mohile, S. Models of Care in Geriatric Oncology. Curr Geri Rep 3, 182–189 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-014-0095-4

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