Frail patients dropping out of neoadjuvant treatment: what should we do?

Abstract

Perioperative oncological treatment is currently the gold standard approach in Europe for Advanced Gastric Cancer patients. Unfortunately, patients dropping out due to worsening conditions has been frequently observed, but these data are seldomly considered and reported. To analyze frequency and propose solutions to support these patients, we reconsidered our results from the GASTRODOC randomized trial performed by [blinded for reviewers] and GIRCG on 91 patients. Thirty-four patients (37.4%) suspended chemotherapy and five (5.4%) did not reach surgery. Ten patients (11%) presented unacceptable toxicity related to gastrointestinal symptoms, six ended the treatment for investigator decision and six for progression, five patients withdrew their consent, five patients were excluded because of surgical complications and long hospitalization, and two patients died. Even though not significant, survival rates for patients who interrupted treatment in the whole trial were lower (5-year OS completed 64.6 vs. interrupted 41.8 p 0.07). Promptness in giving patient support for gastrointestinal symptoms, careful evaluation of anemia and patient nutritional status, and psychological programs from the beginning of the oncologic treatment may improve the final results.