ESMO 2020 | Clinical frailty scale: predictor of prognosis for patients

Jenny Welford, BA, MSc, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and Alastair Greystoke, MBChB, MSc, PhD, FRCP, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, discuss the utility of a brief clinical frailty scale (CFS) in predicting prognosis and discharge destination in oncology patients. Frailty is common in patients with cancer and can predict outcomes and responses to treatment. However, when cancer patients are admitted to the hospital, it can be challenging to assess their fitness, using standard tools such as performance status. The Rockwood CFS was initially designed to assess underlying physiology and chances of functional improvement in patients over 65 years. The study carried out at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS trust in patients who had a diagnosis of solid tumor, or hematological malignancy showed that routine assessment of CFS can be easily implemented and may help in discussions with patients across all ages and families as to prognosis, treatment escalation and planning for discharge. This interview was recorded via an online conference call with The Video Journal of Oncology (VJOncology).