Clinical studies of colorectal cancer in patients over 80 years old *
Eighty-two colorectal cancer patients over 80 years old were treated at our hospital during the 23-year period from 1974 to 1996. These patients accounted for 7.0% of all cases of colorectal cancer, with an increase being shown over the previous period. The clinicopathological features and some problems in the surgical procedures used to treat these cases were retrospectively investigated and compared with those of patients in the seventies. Among these patients, 82.6% of the canccrs were well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas and advanced cancer ; e.g., stages Ⅲa and Ⅲb ith lymph node metastasis, was predominant in these cases. Preoperative coexsisting organ impairments were seen in 33 cases (40.2%), with hypertension being the most common. Postoperative complications occurred in 18 cases (22.0%) and 3 patients died after surgery in the hospital without discharge. In comparison with cases in the seventies, the rate of postoperative complications was the same, but postoperative ileus, anastomotic leakage and wound infections were more frequent in those cases over 80 years of age. No significant differences in long-term survival rates after operation were noted. It was concluded that operations for colorectal cancer in patients over 80 years of age can be performed as safely as in younger patients, and that it is important to choose the correct procedure for postoperative quality of life. (Accepted on August 4, 1999) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 25(3 ) : 165- 172, 1999
