The impact of age on rectal cancer treatment, complications and survival

Abstract

Abstract Background The number of older patients with rectal cancer is increasing. Treatment outcome discrepancies persist, despite similar treatment guidelines. To offer the oldest patients optimal individually adjusted care, further knowledge is needed regarding treatment strategy and outcome. The present study aimed to evaluate treatment, postoperative complications, and survival in older patients treated for rectal cancer. Methods This retrospective study included all 666 patients (n=255 females, n=411 males) treated for rectal cancer at Levanger Hospital during 1980-2016 (n=193 400 ml perioperative blood loss. Among patients that survived the first 90 days, the relative long-term survival rates, five-year local recurrence rates, and metastases rates were independent of age. Conclusion Patients aged ≥80 years were less likely to undergo a major resection with curative intent and experienced more severe complications after surgery than patients aged <80 years. When patients aged ≥80 years were treated with a major resection with curative intent, the long-term survival rate was comparable to that of younger patients.

Keywords

• Rectal cancer
• Elderly
• Treatment
• Survival
• Epidemiology