Survival of colorectal carcinoma in the elderly

Abstract

Colorectal carcinoma in elderly patients has become a more common problem in the last decade. There are some physicians who tend to offer a less definitive treatment for these patients because of their chronologic age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term survival of elderly patients (> 70) who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma in comparison with a younger group of patients with the same disease. Long-term survival of patients with colorectal carcinoma who underwent surgery was prospectively evaluated. Long-term survival was compared between an elderly group of patients (age, > 70) and a younger group of patients. There was no significant difference in the five-year survival between the two age groups. Patients' survival was influenced by stage of the disease and type of operation (emergency vs. elective). Treatment decisions in elderly patients with colorectal carcinoma should not be influenced by the chronologic age of the patient.