The comprehensive geriatric assessment: when, where, how

Cancer is increasingly a disease of the aged, a segment of the population t hat is the fastest growing. Often, cancer adds on to the progressive deteri oration of normal aging and to the impairment associated with the presence of multiple concomitant medical problems. Thus, the likelihood that cancer leads to disability is much greater among older patients than younger ones. In consideration of the dimension of the problem, and of the peculiarities of the elderly patient, it has recently been proposed that a new approach termed 'comprehensive geriatric assessment' (CGA) might allow a better mana gement and more efficient carl of elderly patients with cancer. The systema tic introduction of CGA in clinical research and in daily practice can cont ribute to: identify cancer patients for whom we could expect the greatest b enefit from treatment; assess their physiologic, Functional and health-rela ted quality of life; formulate appropriate treatment and management strateg ies; monitor clinical and functional outcomes; provide a more accurate eval uation of prognostic indicators. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.