[Long-term outcomes in oncological surgery: influence of individual prognostic factors]

In addition to tumor stage there are factors influencing the long-term outcome of an oncological operation. Age per se is not a risk factor; however, comorbidity coinciding with increased age definitely must be regarded as a decisive risk factor. The best prediction of the operative risk is achieved by the ASA classification. Frequently used scores such as ECOG and the Karnofsky index are of little help. Since most elderly patients are excluded from prospective, controlled and randomized studies, only individualized assessments concerning the risk profile are useful at present. However, the overall operative competence of a center is most relevant in the treatment of the so-called "risk patient".