SURGERY FOR LOCAL RECURRENCE OR DISTANT METASTASES IN PATIENTS AGED 75 YEARS OR OLDER

Between 1982 and 1997, a total of 105 patients aged 75 years or older (median age 78 years) under,vent surgical treatment for recurrent soli d tumours, The most frequent primary tumours mere melanoma, colorectal carcinoma and breast cancer. Sixty-one patients had complete removal of recurrent tumour. Post-operative mortality was 3.8% (four of 105 pa tients). The median hospital stay was 16 days and the post-operative h ospital stay was 10 days. At a median follow-up of 57 months, 77 patie nts had died. Twenty one patients died of causes unrelated to the tumo ur. The overall survival of 105 patients was 35% at 3 years and 27% at 5 years. Following R0 resection, 5-year survival was 43% (n = 61) and in the absence of post-operative complications even reached 50% (n=47 ). Survival correlated with completeness of tumour resection (P<0.0001 ) and post-operative complications (P=0.021). No significant correlati on could be established between survival and age, ASA score, blood rep lacement, primary tumour location or sex. Elderly patients presenting with recurrent tumour should be evaluated for surgical resection, If t umour removal is complete and post-operative complications are avoided , a 5-year survival rate of over 40% may be expected.