Dedicated oncology treatments
The protocols that led to the approval of cancer treatments often excluded patients over the age of 70. Thus, the need arose to specifically target this category of patients to provide them with more appropriate care.
Upon admission to the outpatient clinic, the patient undergoes a geriatric screening assessment and, if frailty is suspected, further investigation. A multidimensional geriatric assessment combines general clinical information, as well as data concerning comorbidities and medications taken, functional status, cognitive, affective, nutritional and motor status, as well as social context.
Thus, the patient's degree of frailty and the characteristics that make him or her frail are determined. It is thus possible to propose the most appropriate oncological treatment, accompanied by multidisciplinary care, which is helpful to the patient himself and his family members.
There is active collaboration with both geriatric colleagues and the Ticino League Against Cancer, a supporter of the project.
