Total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in elderly patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The increased average life expectancy and the changing patterns in gastric carcinoma have resulted in a considerable rise in the number of older patients requiring total gastrectomy, Results of total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in elderly patients are presented. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1987 and December 1996, 115 patients underwent total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. At the time of surgery, 25 (21.8%) patients were older than 70 years. The results achieved in these patients were compared with those observed in 90 younger ones. RESULTS: The hospital mortality and morbidity rates for the elderly patients were 16% and 56%, respectively; for the younger ones they were 3.3% and 30%, respectively. No difference was seen between the two age groups concerning the average post-operative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, age was a major determinant with respect to post-operative morbidity and mortality. However, age alone could not be clearly defined as a determining risk factor considering that the accompanying illness and preexisting factors predispose for poor prognosis.