Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: A Case Report on Personalizing Cancer Care of an Older Adult Patient With Head and Neck Cancer

Background Understanding multidimensional screening and assessment is key to optimizing cancer care in older adults. Objectives This article aims to present comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) as an approach to personalizing care for older adults with cancer. Methods A case study of an 89-year-old man with head and neck cancer is presented as a framework to describe the process of CGA and an overview of geriatric oncology screening and assessment. Findings CGA enables personalized care by informing decision making about cancer treatment and guiding implementation of enhanced supportive interventions. Screening tools can help identify older adult patients who would benefit from CGA. Oncology nurses can integrate geriatric assessment tools into practice to identify and address age-related concerns, facilitate communication, and contribute to personalization of care.