Clinical Analysis of Colorectal Cancer in the Elderly.

, Yoo, Kwang Real; , Jeong, Yeon Jun; , Kim, Jong Hun; , Hwang, Yong

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Coloproctology 2000;16(2):99-108.

Yoo, Kwang Real , Jeong, Yeon Jun , Kim, Jong Hun , Hwang, Yong

Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
Elderly patients of colorectal cancer compose a steadily expanding portion of the population in Korea. The decision whether or not to operate on elderly patients who have carcinoma of colon and rectum is often unduly complicated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the operations for colorectal cancers in the elderly.
METHODS
This report is a retrospective clinical analysis for 365 cases of colorectal cancer who were treated surgically at the Department of surgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School from January 1994 to December 1998. To evaluate the age factor in colorectal cancer, the patients were divided into two groups: The elderly group included 79 patients who were aged > or =70 years on first presentation; The control group comprised 286 patients aged <70.
RESULTS
There is no significant difference between the two group with regard to the mode of presentation, gender, location of tumor, clinical symptom and sign, duration of symptom, coexistent disease, operation method, tumor size, histopathologic findings, the Astler-Coller classification, lymphatic and distant metastasis, perioperative complication and 5-year survival. The emergency operation is significantly higher incidence in the elderly group.
CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that surgical resection of colorectal cancer in elderly is standard method and should not be restricted on the basis of age alone.

Key Words: Colorectal cancer; Aged