Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
As the global population ages, the incidence of cancer among older adults is rising, making the management of cancer in this demographic a critical area of study. The main objective of the study is to find the role of comorbidity and functional status in treatment selection and outcomes in older cancer patients. This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Amrita Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre Kochi. Data were collected from 265 patients. Data were extracted from electronic medical records and included demographic information (age, sex), cancer type and stage, treatment modalities, comorbid conditions, functional status and treatment outcomes. The data included demographic details such as age and sex, as well as clinical information encompassing cancer type and stage, treatment modalities, comorbid conditions, functional status, and treatment outcomes. The study included 265 older cancer patients. Mean age of patients was 59.98±3.56 years, comprising 145 males (54.7%) and 120 females (45.3%). The most common cancer types were colorectal (25%), breast (20%), lung (18%), prostate (15%) and hematologic malignancies (12%), with the remaining 10% being other types. A significant majority of patients (77.4%) were diagnosed with advanced‐stage (III‐IV) cancer, while 22.6% had early‐stage (I‐II) disease. The median overall survival (OS) for the study cohort was 24 months. Patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of less than 3 had a median OS of 36 months, while those with a CCI score of 5 or higher had a median OS of 18 months. It is concluded that comorbidity and functional status play pivotal roles in determining treatment selection and outcomes in older cancer patients. Comprehensive assessments and personalized care strategies are essential for optimizing treatment efficacy and improving the quality of life in this demographic.
How to cite this article:
Parwathi Sreelatha Nair and Balram Chandran Pillai. Role Of Comorbidity and Functional Status In Treatment Selection and Outcomes in Older Cancer Patients.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.1.529.533
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.1.529.533