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Frailty and Cancer Prognosis

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the prognostic role of frailty in older patients diagnosed with cancer and to explore the evidence regarding its prognostic implications in cancer survivors.

Recent Findings

Frailty has been consistently associated with mortality/overall survival, postoperative complications, short- and long-term postoperative mortality, length of stay, among other adverse health-related outcomes in several oncological contexts. The possible association between frailty and treatment toxicity has been less explored, however most studies suggest frailty is a predictor of treatment induced toxicity. In addition, in cancer survivors, frailty is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, incident type 2 diabetes mellitus, mortality, altered cognitive performance and increased symptom severity.

Summary

Due to its usefulness in establishing prognosis and informing treatment decision making, it is expected that frailty screening and assessment will continue to gain popularity as part of the pretreatment evaluation of older patients with cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatric Medicine Department, Geriatric Oncology Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico

    Ana Patricia Navarrete-Reyes, Abigail Samayoa Mateos-Soria & Juan José Sánchez-Hernández

  2. Internal Medicine Service, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico

    Abigail Samayoa Mateos-Soria

  3. Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Oncología, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico

    Juan José Sánchez-Hernández

  4. Geriatric Medicine Service, Hospital General de Zona No. 35, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

    Juan Pablo Negrete-Najar

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A.P.N.R conceptualized the review, wrote the main manuscript text and prepared all tables. J.P.N.N. assisted in writing the main manuscript text. A.P.N.R, J.P.N.N, A.S.M.S and J.J.S.H reviewed the manuscript.

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Abigail Mateos-Soria, Juan Pablo Negrete-Najar and Juan José Sánchez-Hernández declare no conflict of interest. Ana Patricia Navarrete-Reyes has received compensation from Abbvie for participation as a speaker in a scientific meeting.

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Navarrete-Reyes, A.P., Mateos-Soria, A.S., Sánchez-Hernández, J.J. et al. Frailty and Cancer Prognosis. Curr Oncol Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-024-01558-x

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