Impact of Geriatric Assessment Using the G8 Score on Treatment Choice in Elderly Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Experience of the Medical Oncology Department, Avicenne Military Hospital Marrakech

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer mostly affects older people.The geriatric assessment tool was developed to identify elderly cancer patients suitable for standard treatment and to guide the optimal treatment plan. Materials and methods: A retrospective pilot study was conducted in the medical oncology department. We included patients over 65 years of age being treated for colorectal cancer. Results: We identified 88 patients over 65 years of age. 48 patients had localized disease (54.5%) and 40 patients had metastatic disease (45.5%). For patients with localized disease chemotherapy was indicated in 25 patients (52%). Among this group, 17 patients (68%) had a G8 score greater than 14. For patients with a G8 score less than or equal to 14 (n = 8), 5 patients (62.50%) benefited from a dose reduction after poor tolerance to standard doses. In this population of localized disease patients, the G8 score showed very high sensitivity (62.5%) and high specificity (82.35%). Among the metastatic patients,16 had a G8 score less than or equal to 14 representing 40% of the metastatic patients. In the population with a G8 score above 14, 5 patients (20.83%) subsequently required dose adjustments, compared. In this population of metastatic patients, the G8 showed sensitivity (64.28%) and specificity (73.07%). Conclusion: Several limitations must be highlighted regarding the use of G8 score in colorectal cancer. First, the majority of published studies are observational, with limited sample sizes and heterogeneous conclusions. Second, there is still no randomized controlled trial formally demonstrating that a G8-guided therapeutic strategy improves overall survival or quality of life compared to standard care.