PANCREATIC-CANCER RESECTION IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Background Pancreatic cancer resection is considered a high-risk proce dure in patients aged 70 years or older. Methods Some 398 patients wit h pancreatic adenocarcinoma, observed between 1990 and 1995, were revi ewed. Operative outcome and survival of 33 patients aged 70 years or m ore were compared with findings in 85 younger patients who underwent r esection. Results Resectability was not significantly different betwee n the elderly and younger patients; neither were mortality or overall morbidity. However, patients aged 70 years or more had more relaparoto mies (P < 0.01) and more haemorrhagic complications (P < 0.001). Nutri tional recovery after resection was satisfying even for elderly patien ts (body-weight gain and increase in serum albumin concentrations, P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed a moderately poorer survival in the elderly (P = 0.09). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumour di ameter, grading and Union Internacional Contra la Cancrum stage were i ndependent prognostic factors, whereas age was not. Conclusion Patient s aged 70 years or more can benefit from pancreatic cancer resection s imilarly to younger patients.