Revolutionizing Geriatric Oncology: From Research to Real-World Impact
The gap between research and clinical practice is a critical issue in healthcare. At SIOG 2025, the Plenary Session on geriatric oncology revealed a powerful shift: moving beyond research and into tangible, life-changing care for older adults with cancer.
Lore Decoster, Cindy Kenis, and Hans Wildiers chaired a session that showcased the transformation of geriatric oncology from a niche concept to a global movement. The focus? Translating research into practical models of care.
Research Meets Reality: The Challenge of Implementation
Lore Decoster opened with a crucial point: research is only as valuable as its real-world application. The goal is not just to generate data but to ensure it improves the treatment of older cancer patients. While evidence on geriatric assessment, toxicity prediction, and patient-centered decision-making is robust, the challenge lies in implementation.
Real-World Models: From Toronto to Chennai
Toronto's Journey: Susie Monginot shared the decade-long evolution of the Older Adults with Cancer Clinic, growing from a small pilot to four half-day clinics. Geriatricians, fellows, social workers, and dietitians collaborate to conduct comprehensive assessments and implement personalized recommendations, despite resource constraints.
Patient-Centric Care in Groningen: Hanneke van der Wal-Huisman introduced a model that integrates patient goals and nurse insights into multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions. By addressing functional, psychosocial, and patient-specific factors, the model enhances communication and individualizes care.
Chennai's Comprehensive Approach: Rejiv Rajendranath presented a unique model within a dedicated geriatric hospital. This ecosystem integrates acute care, long-term support, home visits, assisted living, and community clinics. The program navigates cultural nuances and financial realities, emphasizing continuity and proximity in care.
UK's Senior Adult Oncology Programme: Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti described a multidisciplinary program developed in a hospital without geriatricians. By aligning with hospital priorities and integrating geriatric oncology into training, the program secured long-term funding and expanded its impact.
Scaling Solutions: Practical Assessments and Smart Technology
Ramy Sedhom proposed an innovative approach: practical geriatric assessments embedded in electronic health records (EHRs) and multidisciplinary pathways. Recognizing the impracticality of full assessments for all older patients, this method uses concise surveys, structured flowsheets, and pop-up prompts to guide oncologists toward appropriate referrals.
Global Perspectives: Diverse Models, Unified Principles
Colm Mac Eochagain offered a global perspective, categorizing 38 geriatric oncology services into distinct models. Despite variations, common threads include routine geriatric assessments, multidisciplinary decision-making, and structured risk identification.
The Way Forward: Bridging the Gap
The session's takeaway? Geriatric oncology research is ready for implementation. The challenge is creating locally relevant models, securing funding, integrating assessment tools, and ensuring every older adult with cancer receives care tailored to their biology and goals.
But here's where it gets controversial: are we doing enough to bridge the research-practice gap? How can we accelerate the adoption of evidence-based geriatric oncology practices? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's explore the possibilities together.
