Frailty and treatment decisions in older patients with vulvar cancer: A single-center cohort study

Emma A Gans; Johanneke E A Portielje; Olaf M Dekkers; Cor D de Kroon; Barbara C van Munster; Marloes G M Derks; Stella Trompet; Yara van Holstein; Simon P Mooijaart; Mariette I E van Poelgeest; Frederiek van den Bos

doi:10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101442

Frailty and treatment decisions in older patients with vulvar cancer: A single-center cohort study

J Geriatr Oncol. 2023 Mar;14(2):101442. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101442. Epub 2023 Feb 3.

Affiliations

¹ University Medical Center Groningen, University Center of Geriatric Medicine, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands; Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: e.a.gans@lumc.nl.
² Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medical oncology, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
³ Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
⁴ Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands.
⁵ University Medical Center Groningen, University Center of Geriatric Medicine, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands.
⁶ Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.

PMID: 36739834
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101442

Abstract

Introduction: Vulvar cancer is a disease that mainly affects older women. Frailty is an important predictor of outcomes and geriatric assessment can help tailor treatment decisions and improve outcomes. This study aims to assess the prevalence of frailty in older women with vulvar cancer, and how it relates to integrated geriatric care and treatment according to the oncological guidelines.

Materials and methods: A single-center cohort study was performed, among patients 70 years and older, who were diagnosed with vulvar cancer at Leiden University Medical Center, between January 2012 and May 2020. Data on geriatric assessment, treatment decision-making and treatment-related outcomes were collected.

Results: Our study included 114 patients. Mean age was 79.7 years, and 52 patients (45.6%) were frail. Of the frail patients, 42.0% were referred to a geriatrician. In eight of these cases, the geriatrician was actively involved in weighing the benefit and harm of standard oncological treatment versus de-escalated treatment. Frailty, higher age, impairment in the somatic domain, cognitive impairment, and functional dependency were associated with referral to a geriatrician and with active involvement of a geriatrician in decision making. In 26 of frail patients (50.0%) oncological treatment was de-escalated. Frailty, higher age, impairment in the somatic domain, cognitive impairment, and functional dependency were associated with de-escalation of treatment. De-escalated treatment did not compromise survival.

Discussion: Frailty is prevalent among older women with vulvar cancer and is associated with referral to a geriatrician and de-escalation of oncological treatment. While this reflects that it is deemed important to tailor treatment decision for frail patients, most frail patients are not routinely evaluated by a geriatrician. Further multidisciplinary collaboration and research is necessary to optimize tailored treatment decisions for this patient group.

Keywords: Frailty; Geriatric assessment; Geriatric oncology; Treatment de-escalation; Vulvar cancer.

MeSH terms

Aged
Cohort Studies
Female
Frail Elderly
Frailty* / diagnosis
Geriatric Assessment
Geriatricians
Humans
Vulvar Neoplasms*