ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To evaluate if comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)-guided care improves health-related quality of life (HRQL) in older adults with cancer compared to usual care. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through biomedical databases. Meta-analyses using DerSimonian-Laird model summarized the difference in the mean change of HRQL scores from baseline across various time points, with evidence certainty assessed by the GRADE tool. Logistic regression via generalized estimating equations analyzed predictors of HRQL improvement. RESULTS: Potential improvement in the global HRQL score by CGA-guided care at 3 months (Cohen's d 0.27, 95â¯% CI -0.03-0.58, moderate certainty), could not be excluded. Larger RCTs or those mandating CGA before initiating anti-cancer treatment were predictors of improved HRQL. CONCLUSION: The effects of CGA-guided care on HRQL were variable. Larger RCTs and those mandating pre-treatment CGA tended to report improved HRQL.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This review will focus on the late neurological complications from cranial irradiation and relevant mitigation strategies. BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT) remains an important pillar in the management of brain metastases. Patients being treated in the modern era do experience longer survival, because of superior intra- and extra-cranial disease control. As a result, they can be more prone to developing and manifesting late complications post-brain radiotherapy. METHODS: A search and narrative review of prospective clinical trials relating to neurological toxicity outcomes was conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Neurological toxicities can be challenging to diagnose and manage and should be considered during consideration of radiotherapy in brain metastasis, hence more emphasis should be placed on prevention and upfront mitigation of these complications, with novel strategies showing promising results in prospective trials being adopted into clinical practice.
