Geriatric assessment and quality of life for 2 years in older patients with head and neck cancer

Due to the location and toxicity of treatments, head and neck cancer (HNC) has a major impact on quality of life (QoL). Objective to assess the effects of geriatric-assessment (GA)-driven interventions on QoL over 2 years in older adults with HNC. EGeSOR was a randomized study of HNC patients aged >= 65, receiving a pretreatment GA, a geriatric intervention and follow-up (intervention) or standard of care (control). The primary endpoint was QoL score (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-HN35) over 24 months. 475 patients were included (median age: 75.3; women: 31%; oral cancer: 44%). QoL scores improved over 24 months with various trajectories, without significant differences between the groups. 74% of patients (interventional group) did not receive the complete intervention. Cancer characteristics, functional status, and risk of frailty were associated with change in the Global Health Status QoL score. There is a need to develop alternative model of implementation such as patient-centered healthcare pathways.