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. 2005 Nov 9:3:71.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-3-71.

Postoperative mortality after cancer surgery in octogenarians and nonagenarians: results from a series of 5,390 patients

Ronald A M Damhuis  1 , Claudia J C Meurs, Willem S Meijer
Affiliations

Postoperative mortality after cancer surgery in octogenarians and nonagenarians: results from a series of 5,390 patients

Ronald A M Damhuis et al. World J Surg Oncol. .

Abstract

Background: To support decisions about surgical treatment of elderly patients with cancer, population-based estimates of postoperative mortality (POM) rates are required.

Methods: Electronic records from the Rotterdam Cancer Registry were retrieved for octogenarians and nonagenarians who underwent resection in the period 1987-2000. POM was defined as death within 30 days of resection and both elective and emergency operations were included.

Results: In a series of 5.390 operated patients aged 80 years and older, POM rates were 0.5% for breast cancer, 1.7% for endometrial cancer and 4.2% for renal cancer. For patients with colorectal cancer, POM increased from 8% for the age group 80-84 to 13% for those 85-89 to 20% in nonagenarians. For stomach cancer, the respective figures were 11%, 20% and 44%.

Conclusion: These results show that resections can be performed at acceptable risk in selected elderly patients with cancer.

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