Geriatric oncology in Spain: survey results and analysis of the current situation

• R. Gironés ^[1] ; I. Morilla ^[8] ; C. Guillen-Ponce ^[2] ; M. D. Torregrosa ^[9] ; I. Paredero ^[9] ; E. Bustamante ^[10] ; S. del Barco ^[11] ; G. Soler ^[8] ; B. Losada ^[3] ; L. Visa ^[4] ; E. Llabrés ^[5] ; B. Fox ^[6] ; J. L. Firvida ^[12] ; R. Blanco ^[13] ; M. Antonio ^[8] ; F. Aparisi ^[7] ; M. Pi-Figueras ^[4] ; E. Gonzalez-Flores ^[14] ; M. J. Molina-Garrido ^[15] ; J. Saldaña ^[8]
  1. [1] Hospital Xàtiva Lluis Alcanyis

     Hospital Xàtiva Lluis Alcanyis

     Játiva, España

     
  2. [2] Hospital Ramón y Cajal

     Hospital Ramón y Cajal

     Madrid, España

     
  3. [3] Hospital de Fuenlabrada

     Hospital de Fuenlabrada

     Fuenlabrada, España

     
  4. [4] Hospital del Mar

     Hospital del Mar

     Barcelona, España

     
  5. [5] Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular - Materno Infantil de Canarias

     Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular - Materno Infantil de Canarias

     Gran Canaria, España

     
  6. [6] Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón

     Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón

     Madrid, España

     
  7. [7] Hospital General Universitario de Valencia

     Hospital General Universitario de Valencia

     Valencia, España

     
  8. [8] Institut Català D’Oncologia-L’Hospitalet
  9. [9] Hospital Universitario Dr Peset
  10. [10] Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial I Universitaria Manresa
  11. [11] Hospital Universitari Dr. Josep Trueta
  12. [12] Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Ourense (CHUO)
  13. [13] Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
  14. [14] Hospital Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada
  15. [15] Hospital General Virgen de La Luz, Cuenca

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• Localización: Clinical & translational oncology, ISSN 1699-048X, Vol. 20, Nº. 8, 2018, págs. 1087-1092
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Introduction Geriatric oncology (GO) is a discipline that focuses on the management of elderly patients with cancer. The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) created a Working group dedicated to geriatric oncology in February 2016.

    Objectives The main goal of this study was to describe the current situation in Spain regarding the management of elderly cancer patients through an online survey of medical oncologists.

    Methods A descriptive survey was sent to several hospitals by means of the SEOM website. A personal e-mail was also sent to SEOM members.

    Results Between March 2016 and April 2017, 154 answers were collected. Only 74 centers (48%) had a geriatrics department and a mere 21 (14%) medical oncology departments had a person dedicated to GO. The vast majority (n = 135; 88%) had the perception that the number of elderly patients with cancer seen in clinical practice had increased. Eighteen (12%) oncologists had specific protocols and geriatric scales were used at 55 (31%) centers. Almost all (92%) claimed to apply special management practices using specific tools. There was agreement that GO afforded certain potential advantages. Finally, 99% of the oncologists surveyed believed it and that training in GO had to be improved.

    Conclusions From the nationwide survey promoted by the Spanish Geriatric Oncology Working Group on behalf of SEOM, we conclude that there is currently no defined care structure for elderly cancer patients. There is an increasing perception of the need for training in GO. This survey reflects a reality in which specific needs are perceived.