Geriatric and Quality of Life Assessments in Older Patients With Non-metastatic or Metastatic Head and Neck or Lung Cancer Undergoing Surgery or Chemoradiation and Their Caregivers

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To describe the patterns and distribution of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) scores and physical activity levels and quality of life measures in older (>= 65) patients with non-metastatic or metastatic head and neck or lung cancer undergoing upfront surgery followed (may be followed by adjuvant therapy) or upfront definitive radiation (with or without chemotherapy at the same time) to cure the disease.

II. To describe the incidence and type of grade 2-5 toxicities in this patient population.

III. To describe the family caregiver (FCG)-reported caregiving burden level and quality of life (QOL) scores.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To identify areas of vulnerability in this patient population using the geriatric assessment.

II. To identify potential referrals based on geriatric assessment results. III. To describe other healthcare resource use and potential treatment modifications (unplanned hospitalization, emergency room (ER) visits, readmission rates, breaks in radiation and/or chemoradiation (CRT), dose modifications).

IV. To explore changes in geriatric assessment and patient-reported symptoms, QOL, weight, and functional status from pre-treatment to 3-months, 6 months post-treatment.

V. To explore changes in family caregiver (FCG)-reported caregiving burden and QOL from pre-treatment to 3-months, 6 months post-treatment.

VI. To explore the relationship between geriatric assessment results and patient-reported symptoms and QOL.

OUTLINE: Participants are assigned to 1 of 2 groups.

GROUP I: Patients complete comprehensive geriatric and quality of life assessments within 1-4 weeks of treatment (either upfront surgery which may be followed by radiation with or without chemotherapy or upfront radiation which may include CRT) initiation (baseline), and at 1, 3, and 6 months following CRT completion.

GROUP II: Family caregivers complete quality of life assessment at baseline, and at 1, 3, and 6 months following patient radiation or CRT completion.

Inclusion criteria

• PATIENT: Diagnosed with non-metastatic or metastatic head and neck cancer or lung cancer
• PATIENT: Scheduled to undergo either upfront surgery or definitive radiation treatment (including CRT)
• PATIENT: Age >= 65 years
• PATIENT: Able to read and understand English
• FAMILY CAREGIVER: Family member/friend identified by the patient as the primary caregiver before and after surgery and/or radiation (including CRT)
• FAMILY CAREGIVER: Age >= 21 years
• FAMILY CAREGIVER: Able to read and understand English
• ALL SUBJECTS: Must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Patients should not have any uncontrolled illness including ongoing or active infection
• Subjects, who in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study