Surgery for colorectal cancer in elderly patients: a systematic review

Clinico-Pathological Caracteristics, Therapeutic Features and Post-operative Course of Colorectal Cancer in Elderly Patients

“…According to previous studies, we found that the frequency of post-operative morbidity and mortality seemed to increase progressively with advancing age, but the interpretation of these findings is limited by the absence of clear and consistent definitions of these outcomes [6] An increasing frequency of respiratory and cardiovascular complications, stroke, and thromboembolism was reported in relation to age [14], although anastomotic leakage rates were unchanged. This fact suggests, that if an older person is believed fit for surgery then a standard surgical procedure with primary anastomosis can be tolerated without excess surgical and anastomotic complications.…”

“…Published results for tumours pathological characteristics are conflicting: some studies show more advanced stages in old patients [6] whereas others do not [13].…”

“…We think that this fact is important because all these parameters are independent factors in cancer-specific survival [6].…”

“…[6,9]. However, several studies show that surgery is feasible to treat colorectal cancer in elderly patients [10,11] even in octogenarians [12].…”

“…Early recognition of colorectal cancer in patients over age 75 requires clinical awareness and aggressive pursuit of symptoms. On the other hand, colorectal cancers in old patients are more likely revealed by a complication, this fact is related to delay in diagnosis in old patients and this is due to negligence of symptoms in these patients [6].…”