[Is oncological surgery contraindicated in the older patient?]

Almost three-quarters of patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract are more than 65 years of age. In the operative treatment of esophageal pancreatic, hepatocellular and colorectal carcinomas, studies show comparable risks for patients under, and those over, 70 years of age. In terms of morbidity, mortality and 5-year mortality rates, attendant risks in the latter do not generally appear to be greater. An increase in the rate of complications, however, has been observed for palliative interventions in colorectal cancer patients. In particular cardiovascular risk factors play a major role in the over-70-year-olds.