biostudies-literatureVinckier CCancer and Their Family CaregiversNavCare-EU Intervention for Older PeopleEuropean UnionResearch Foundation Flanders-Fonds Wetenschappelijk OnderzoekEuropean Health and Digital Executive AgencyEU NAVIGATEInternational Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trialoyaf223https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12445657biostudies-literatureUnknown30(9)<h4>Background</h4>Older adults with cancer often experience frailty and comorbidities, potentially impacting their quality of life. Knowledge on quality-of-life changes throughout the cancer trajectory is important to set feasible expectations in interventions or trials.<h4>Aim</h4>This systematic review synthesizes existing knowledge on quality-of-life changes in older adults with cancer throughout their illness trajectory and explores potential individual, relational, community, and societal factors associated with these changes.<h4>Method</h4>We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO. We synthesized characteristics and outcomes of all studies reporting on quality-of-life or well-being changes in people aged 65+ with cancer. We used Bronfenbrenner's Social Ecological Model to categorize associated factors. We followed PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024566815).<h4>Results</h4>We included 22 studies. Studies varied in characteristics of the cohorts and timing of the measurements and were often lacking clear quality-of-life conceptualizations. All studies used a quantitative design, except 1 mixed-methods study. Eight of 9 studies with follow-up moments of 12 months or more reported stable quality-of-life scores. All 3 studies examining the last year of life found quality-of-life declines. Five other studies reported a decline during treatment; in 4 studies followed by an increase. Comorbidities, older age, and mobility problems were most frequently associated with declining quality of life. Relational, community, and societal level factors were rarely studied.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Despite the methodological heterogeneity between studies, we identified trends in quality-of-life changes across the illness trajectories of older adults with cancer, particularly declining trends during treatment and end-of-life periods and stable trends in long-term follow-up.The oncologistChanges in quality of life throughout the illness trajectory of older adults with cancer: a systematic review.PMC1244565710105736112AEO24NVinckier CSmets Tde Nooijer KVan den Block LDu Cheyne HDecoster LfalseChanges in quality of life throughout the illness trajectory of older adults with cancer: a systematic review.<h4>Background</h4>Older adults with cancer often experience frailty and comorbidities, potentially impacting their quality of life. Knowledge on quality-of-life changes throughout the cancer trajectory is important to set feasible expectations in interventions or trials.<h4>Aim</h4>This systematic review synthesizes existing knowledge on quality-of-life changes in older adults with cancer throughout their illness trajectory and explores potential individual, relational, community, and societal factors associated with these changes.<h4>Method</h4>We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO. We synthesized characteristics and outcomes of all studies reporting on quality-of-life or well-being changes in people aged 65+ with cancer. We used Bronfenbrenner's Social Ecological Model to categorize associated factors. We followed PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024566815).<h4>Results</h4>We included 22 studies. Studies varied in characteristics of the cohorts and timing of the measurements and were often lacking clear quality-of-life conceptualizations. All studies used a quantitative design, except 1 mixed-methods study. Eight of 9 studies with follow-up moments of 12 months or more reported stable quality-of-life scores. All 3 studies examining the last year of life found quality-of-life declines. Five other studies reported a decline during treatment; in 4 studies followed by an increase. Comorbidities, older age, and mobility problems were most frequently associated with declining quality of life. Relational, community, and societal level factors were rarely studied.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Despite the methodological heterogeneity between studies, we identified trends in quality-of-life changes across the illness trajectories of older adults with cancer, particularly declining trends during treatment and end-of-life periods and stable trends in long-term follow-up.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T14:29:08.038Z2026-04-28T03:11:41.206ZS-EPMC124456574070060410.1093/oncolo/oyaf223