Faculty Collaboration Database

Gaps in nutritional research among older adults with cancer. J Geriatr Oncol 2016 07;7(4):281-92

Date

05/21/2016

Pubmed ID

27197919

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4969118

DOI

10.1016/j.jgo.2016.04.006

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84971324913   34 Citations

Abstract

Nutritional issues among older adults with cancer are an understudied area of research despite significant prognostic implications for treatment side effects, cancer-specific mortality, and overall survival. In May of 2015, the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging co-sponsored a conference focused on future directions in geriatric oncology research. Nutritional research among older adults with cancer was highlighted as a major area of concern as most nutritional cancer research has been conducted among younger adults, with limited evidence to guide the care of nutritional issues among older adults with cancer. Cancer diagnoses among older adults are increasing, and the care of the older adult with cancer is complicated due to multimorbidity, heterogeneous functional status, polypharmacy, deficits in cognitive and mental health, and several other non-cancer factors. Due to this complexity, nutritional needs are dynamic, multifaceted, and dependent on the clinical scenario. This manuscript outlines the proceedings of this conference including knowledge gaps and recommendations for future nutritional research among older adults with cancer. Three common clinical scenarios encountered by oncologists include (1) weight loss during anti-cancer therapy, (2) malnutrition during advanced disease, and (3) obesity during survivorship. In this manuscript, we provide a brief overview of relevant cancer literature within these three areas, knowledge gaps that exist, and recommendations for future research.

Author List

Presley CJ, Dotan E, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Jatoi A, Mohile SG, Won E, Alibhai S, Kilari D, Harrison R, Klepin HD, Wildes TM, Mustian K, Demark-Wahnefried W

Author

Deepak Kilari MD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cancer Survivors
Comorbidity
Consensus
Female
Geriatrics
Humans
Male
Medical Oncology
National Cancer Institute (U.S.)
National Institute on Aging (U.S.)
Neoplasms
Nutrition Assessment
Nutrition Disorders
Prevalence
Research
United States