Surgical outcomes for colorectal cancer patients including the elderly

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-t erm outcome of older and younger colorectal cancer patients resected for cu re. Methodology: Three hundred and forty-six consecutive colorectal cancer pati ents who underwent some form of surgery were analyzed. One hundred and fort y-four patients were < 65 years old (group 1), 151 patients were 65-79 year s old (group 2), and 51 patients were 80 years or more (group 3). Results: The overall peroperative mortality rate was 1.7% (n=6). The median length of hospital stay was 19 days (range: 3-86 days). By univariate anal ysis, intraoperative bleeding (500mL or more) (P=0.009), duration of operat ions (240min or more) (P=0.03), and the presence of rectal cancer (P=0.001) , were strongly associated with 1 higher incidence? of postoperative compli cations. In multiple logistic regression analysis, only rectal cancer (P=0. 02) was significantly associated with serious postoperative complications. No age-related difference was noted concerning 5-year cancer-specific survi val rates for patients with < 65, 65-79, and greater than or equal to 80 ye ars who undewent surgery for cure (85%, 76%, and 69%, respectively) (P=0.3) . Using logistic regression analysis, tumor stage (P=0.0001) and peroperati ve blood transfusions (500mL or more) (P=0.05) were strongly associated wit h outcome. Conclusions: Colorectal curative surgery for malignancy can be performed sa fely in the elderly with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates and longt erm survival.