[Major urological cancer excisions after the age of 75]

Abstract

32 patients more than 75 years old had major surgical procedures for urologic neoplasms: radical nephrectomy for renal cell cancer (9 cases), nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract tumor (3 cases), radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer (20 cases). Postoperative mortality was 12.5%. In the nephrectomy group, 3 palliative procedures gave a mean survival time of 7 months. On 9 curative procedures, 7 patients are alive and free of disease with a mean follow-up of 45.6 months. In the cystectomy group, 5 palliative procedures gave a mean survival time of 7 months. On 15 curative procedures, 6 patients are alive and free of disease with a mean follow-up of 18.6 months. Our data confirm that curative procedures can be performed in the elderly. Mean survival time and quality of life after palliative procedures suggest that only true comfort procedures have to be performed.