Role of curative resection in octogenarians with malignancy

Abstract

Background Major resective surgery in octogenarians with malignancy is considered risky. Because elderly people are growing in number, there is a greater need to define the role of curative resection (CR) in these patients. Methods In this retrospective, consecutive review patients ≥80 years with malignancy treated by surgery were included and categorized into 3 groups: group 1 = CR group, i.e., no residual disease; group 2 = non-CR group, i.e., microscopic tumor invasion of one or more resection margins; and group 3 = palliative surgery (PS) group. Results One hundred eighty-two patients were treated surgically with curative intent. Gastric and colorectal cancers were the most frequent (34% and 31.8%, respectively) followed by bile duct and esophageal cancers (15.3% and 5.5%, respectively). CR was performed in 53.3%, non-CR in 14.8%, and palliative surgery in 31.9% of patients. Thirty-day mortality in the 3 groups was 3.1%, 0%, and 5.2%, respectively. Mean hospital stay was similar among all 3 groups. In the CR group, gastric and colorectal cancers were the most common (41.2% and 42.2% respectively). Average survival and actuarial survival were significantly higher in the CR group. Disease-free survival was 645 ± 744 days. Five-year actuarial survival was 45.4 % in the CR group, and no patient survived 5 years in the other 2 groups. In the CR group, mean survival was significantly better in patients with good performance status and ≥3 supportive family members per univariate analysis. However, no significant difference was observed in patients with gastric and colorectal malignancy. Multivariate analysis revealed that TNM stage and family size affected survival the most. Conclusions Gastric and colorectal cancers were most frequent among octogenarians reporting to our unit. CR was performed in elderly patients with low mortality and was associated with significantly better average and actuarial survival. TNM stage I to III, family size ≥3 members, and performance status “0” to “1” were favorable factors.