Role of chemotherapy and novel biological agents in the treatment of elderly patients with colorectal cancer

Table 1 Comprehensive geriatric assessment

Measure	Description
Function	Activities of daily living (ADL)
	Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)
	Performance status (PS)
Health	Number of co-morbid conditions
Socio-economic status	Income, education, living conditions, caregiver
Geriatric syndromes	Dementia (Mini-mental state examination, MMSE)
	Delirium
	Depression (Geriatric depression scale, GDS)
	Incontinence, failure to thrive, neglect and abuse
Pharmacy	Polypharmacy (other medications being taken)
Nutrition	Mini nutritional assessment

Table 2 Classification of patients into 3 treatment categories based on CGA

Group	Description	Treatment
1	Healthy, good PS	Standard cancer treatment
2	Partially dependent, ≤ 2 comorbidities
	Life expectancy shortened by cancer
	if can tolerate treatment	Standard cancer treatment
	if cannot tolerate treatment	Palliation
	Life expectancy not shortened by cancer	Palliation
3	Frail patients who are totally dependent with ≥ 3 comorbidities or 1 geriatric syndrome	Palliation