Characteristics and treatment options of elderly Chinese patients with cancer as determined by Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)

Objective China is experiencing a rapid increase in cancer incidence in elderly patients. In order to better understand this group, a large study of patients from multiple tertiary centers in the Beijing area was designed. This study was designed to provide insight into their unique treatment preferences, including the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Materials and Methods 803 patients from nine hospitals in the Beijing area were enrolled into this study. The inclusion criteria were patients who were 65 years or older and had a diagnosis of cancer at any stage. The CGA questionnaire used with these patients included the Chinese translation of the Gero-Oncology Health and Quality of Life Assessment tool. The questionnaire was provided to patients by a research nurse and was administered in Mandarin. Results The mean age of the patients was 72 years (range 65–94). The patients were mainly male (59.8%) and of Han ethnicity (95.4%). About 45% of these patients also had concurrent TCM in addition to their other cancer treatments. About 70% were able to manage their activities of daily living without assistance. Patients on TCM were more likely to have higher number of co-morbidities compared to their counterparts. Conclusion This is the largest prospective study of CGA assessments done on elderly patients with cancer in Asia. The study demonstrates that CGA provides insights into understanding the needs of elderly Chinese patients with cancer. TCM is used frequently in China, and its impact on quality of life needs further investigation.