Colorectal cancer in patients over 70 years of age: determinants of outcome

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate operative risk factors, the mortality, morbidity and survival in old patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

From 1160 patients with colorectal cancer, 398 patients aged 70 years or older, from 1970 to 2000, were followed-up. Dukes’ classification, differentiation, sex, anatomical site and survival were compared with patients <70 years old.

Results

Long-term results have been proved to be similar both in young and old patients. Relative survival rate for patients aged 70–95 (70.5%) were similar to those for patients less than 70 years old (71.6%) and also comparable between male (72.3%) and female (68%) patients.

Conclusions

Elderly patients have a lower capacity to react to postoperative complications, but the relative survival is similar to younger patients. Advanced age alone should not be used as a criterion to deny surgery for colorectal cancer.