SIOG 2013 (International Society of Geriatric Oncology)

Dr Martin Exterman talks to ecancer about the key questions in geriatric oncology; such as, how to apply aspects of the general geriatric field to the specific field of geriatric oncology. There is an extra importance placed on knowing what patients can handle in terms of more aggressive treatments and the variable tolerances in each case. Dr Exterman also discusses SIOG’s taskforce work on assessment and how clinicians can look to improve their screening methods.

Prof Stuart Lichtman talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting about elderly specific clinical trials, including GOG273, which looks at older women with ovarian cancer. This study shows that simple geriatric parameters work better than specific clinical analysis in the case of treating with chemotherapy; however, targeted therapy is another rising issue because of the lack of geriatric specific information and clinical data. With these circumstances, clinicians must look at other factors in order to determine the best course of treatment for their patients.

Dr Aaron Begue talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting in Copenhagen about the methods of advanced training for geriatric oncology nurses and the SIOG and allied heath task force aimed at promoting more nurses to specialise in this field. Oncology certified nurse practitioners are rare and each year only about 150 new nurse practitioners become qualified in oncology. Dr Begue discusses how methods used to train these practitioners are important both for those who seek to become certified in the field and those who occasionally treat cancer patients.

Dr Sylvia Perrin talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting about training nurses in geriatric oncology and her work with the National Institute of Cancer in France.

Dr Harvey Cohen talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting about the difficulties in treating older patients and older patients with advanced cancer. The challenges in treating these demographics come from a number of factors, such as physiological, social and financial.

Dr Supriya Mohile gives an update on the data presented from a number of clinical trials from the ASCO 2013 annual meeting. The trials discussed include the investigation of CLJB40101 in breast cancer, a retrospective study of chemotherapy used in Greece, and testosterone recovery in prostate cancer patients (TAX-3501).

Dr Beena Devi talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting about understanding the spiritual needs of elderly patients and how this can improve outcomes and increase their quality of life. Dr Devi discusses the differences between spirituality and religious beliefs and how discussing this with the patient can greatly improve their end-of-life care.

Dr Etienne Brain talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG annual meeting about biosimiliars and the differences between these drugs and their generic versions. As they are manufactured differently, biosimilars must go through a series of tests that guarantee their activity and efficacy. As a result, the drug that is manufactured is much cheaper to produce, but just as effective.

Dr Giampaolo Ugolini talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting in Copenhagen about advances in surgery and other treatments that may be especially taxing to elderly patients. Using information from clinical trials involving younger patients, while keeping in mind that some elderly patients can be healthy but still frail, clinicians must determine the most effective course of treatment without adversely affecting the patient’s quality of life. Other issues are the social situations of elderly patients, such as living in a care home.

Dr Jesper Grau Eriksen talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting in Copenhagen about making the decision to treat a geriatric patient with radiotherapy. This decision can often prove difficult as evidence has shown that treatment with radiotherapy does not always increase overall survival; however, studies do suggest that it does reduce the number of cancer related deaths.

Prof Vesa Kataja talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting about end-of-life care in relation to the available treatment options. Prof Kataja also talks about the genetic changes that occur in tumours in younger and in older patients and cause difficulties in choosing the best course of treatment.

Dr Ulrich Wedding talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting in Copenhagen about the three main aspects of the SIOG taskforce: screening, general geriatric assessment and intervention assessment results. The results of this taskforce came from an analysis of current literature on these topics, an evaluation of where research needs to take place and how practice guidelines should be altered. Dr Wedding also discusses challenges in developing clinical trials specifically for geriatric patients.

Dr Trine Lembrecht Jørgensen talks to ecancer at the 2013 SIOG meeting in Denmark about the process of geriatric assessment, the need to streamline the process and how to make the assessment more practical in the clinical setting.