Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Extreme Elderly Population

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer surgery in extreme elderly population ( 3 80 years) is a growing problem and a subject in question. Experiences and results in this scenario are limited. Methods: Medical records of patients 3 80 years old hospitalized in General Surgery Department in Vega Baja Hospital between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) were selected. Data regarding comorbidities, treatment performed, complications and survival were collected. Results: 95 patients (74 colon, 21 rectum) were identified: median age 83.0 years (80 - 93), 64.2% males. 93.7% of patients were operated on: median hospital and post-operative stay of 11 and 9 days, respectively; curative intention surgery 82.1%. 4.2% of patients were treated with interventionist procedures, and 2.1% of patients in a conservative way. 17.9% and 4.2% of patients came up with early and late complications, respectively. Early and late mortality occurred in 9.5% and 3.2% of patients, respectively. By March 2014, with a median follow up of 43.8 months, median overall survival for colorectal cancer patients was 2.7 years (95%IC, 2.0 - 3.2). Univariaye Cox Regresion analysis revealed the presence of cardiomyopathy (p = 0.024), the presence of chornic kidney disease (p = 0.025), the presence of comorbidities (vs absence) (0.026), the number of comorbidities (0.034), type of admission (p = 0.001), treatment with surgery (p = 0.001) and the incidence of early (p = 0.004) or late complications (p = 0.023) associated to overall survival with statically significance. Multivariate Cox Regression analysis showed number of comorbidities (HR = 1.104; 95%CI: 0.851 - 1.431; p = 0.456), treatment with surgery (HR = 4.928; 95%CI: 1.815 - 13.385; p = 0.002), programmed admission into hospital (HR = 2.316; 95%CI: 1.298 - 4.133; p = 0.004), and the incidence of late complications (HR = 4.629; 95%CI: 1.279 - 16.750; p = 0.020) independently associated with overall survival. Interaction test between number of comorbidities and early complication was performed (HR = 1.453; 95%CI: 0.971 - 2.175; p = 0.070). Conclusions: In our experience surgery for CRC patients may increase overall survival even in an extreme elderly population ( 3 80 years). Nevertheless when considering surgery for CRC in this subgroup of patients, factor such as type of admission into hospital and comorbidities should be taken into account in order to optimize treatment results in the effort to individualize CRC management in this growing population.