Colorectal cancer in elderly patients: postoperative mortality and survival
Hernanz de la Fuente, F.; Revuelta Alvarez, S.; Del Castillo Diego, J.; Ortiz de Diego, R.; Gómez Fleitas, M.
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas Organo Oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Patologia Digestiva 84(1): 17-21
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 1130-0108 PMID: 8357640 Document Number: 409165
Twenty percent of colorectal cancers develop in elderly patients. Since the size of the geriatric population increases this percentage will get higher. The data collected from the Cantabria Colorectal Cancer Population Registry (1989-90) were divided into two groups: patients aged > or = 80 years at diagnosis and patients aged < 80. The postoperative mortality rates were 11% vs. 7%. Emergency surgery on patients over 80 years was associated with a significantly higher incidence of perioperative deaths (26%). Three-year survival rates for the two groups (20%) were not significantly different. These data suggest that elderly patients suffering from colorectal cancer can be treated by standard methods.