A Study Comparing Geriatric Co-Management With Geriatric Guided Supportive Care in Older Patients Receiving Chemoradiation Therapy for Their Head and Neck Cancer

NCT05239000 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 22-016
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 6

Brief Summary

The researchers are doing this study to see whether geriatric co-management or geriatric guided supportive care are good approaches for managing side effects in older patients who have head and neck cancer and are receiving chemoradiation therapy. This study will provide valuable information about different ways to manage side effects in older patients receiving chemoradiation therapy.

Conditions

Head and Neck Cancer

Keywords

Supportive Care; Older Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Radiation and Chemotherapy; 22-016

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• proportion of patients with hospital admission (geriatric co-management arm)

  The proportion of patients hospitalized during the course of chemoradiation either at MSKCC or an outside hospital will be assessed for each arm.

  2 years

• proportion of patients with hospital admission (geriatric guided supportive care arm)

  The proportion of patients hospitalized during the course of chemoradiation either at MSKCC or an outside hospital will be assessed for each arm.

  2 years

Study Arms (2)

geriatric co-management

EXPERIMENTAL

Geriatric co-management involves a consultation with a geriatrician prior to initiating head and neck radiation and chemotherapy. Consultation with geriatricians can occur in-person or remotely via telemedicine. During this visit, the geriatrician will review the results of the eRFA and create a plan to manage geriatric deficits. Geriatric co-management involves optimization of comorbid conditions, management of polypharmacy, and supportive care referrals to address geriatric deficits. Geriatricians also work in conjunction with the treating oncologists to ensure patients have appropriate pain management and bowel regimens. Additional follow up visits after the initial consultation are at the discretion of the geriatrician may vary between patients depending on the clinical need.

Other: geriatric co-management

geriatric guided supportive care

EXPERIMENTAL

Geriatric guided supportive care will be carried out by oncologists. After the patient completes the eRFA, an automated report is generated that identifies the patient's geriatric deficits. The automated report also includes suggested interventions for each deficit (e.g, referral to physical therapy. For instance, automated suggestions for a patient with a history of falls include consultation with physical therapy, neurologic evaluation, a home safety evaluation, or use of supportive devices. Automated recommendations for patient with high level of distress or depression include referral to psychiatry or social work, involvement in a cancer support group, or additional time spent addressing questions and fears. The oncology team will review the automated report from the eRFA and create an intervention plan prior to initiation of head and neck radiation and chemotherapy.

Other: geriatric guided supportive care

Interventions

geriatric co-management OTHER

Geriatric co-management involves a consultation with a geriatrician prior to initiating head and neck radiation and chemotherapy.

geriatric co-management

geriatric guided supportive care OTHER

Geriatric guided supportive care will be carried out by oncologists. After the patient completes the eRFA, an automated report is generated that identifies the patient's geriatric deficits.

geriatric guided supportive care

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥ 65
• Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) diagnosis of head and neck cancer of oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx
• Patient will receive a 6 to 7 week course of intensity modulated radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy either in definitive or post-operative setting
• Able to read and understand English
• Able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Patients who have previously consulted with or are followed by a geriatrician
• Inability to use telemedicine if unable to present to clinic visits in person
• Inability to complete the eRFA (patient is unable to comprehend or answer questions included on the eRFA)
• Treatment with proton therapy
• Patients on therapeutic clinical trials of experimental therapies or those not receiving standard of care

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: lead

Study Sites (6)

Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States

Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)

Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States

Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)

Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States

Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk- Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)

Commack, New York, 11725, United States

Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)

New York, New York, 10065, United States

Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activities)

Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States

Location

Related Links

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Head and Neck Neoplasms

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms

Study Officials

• Nancy Lee, MD

  Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: The study design is a randomized pilot clinical trial with two arms. Enrolled patients are those aged ≥70 years with newly diagnosed or post-operative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Patients will be undergoing radiation with concurrent chemotherapy.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 3, 2022
• First Posted: February 14, 2022
• Study Start: February 3, 2022
• Primary Completion: January 5, 2026
• Study Completion: January 5, 2026
• Last Updated: January 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

US (6)