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Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Surgical considerations for elderly urologic oncology patients
Anne K Schuckman1, John P Stein, Donald Skinner
1Department of Urology, Norris Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. schuckma@usc.edu
Urologic Oncology
|November 3, 2009
Summary
Elderly patients can safely undergo major urologic surgery for cancer with acceptable outcomes. Careful patient selection using tools like the ASA score is key for successful radical urologic surgery in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Urologic Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Aging population in the United States leads to increased incidence of urologic malignancies.
- Radical urologic surgery is a common treatment for these cancers.
- Special considerations are needed for elderly patients undergoing major surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review safety, efficacy, techniques, and special concerns of radical urologic surgery in the elderly.
- To assess the outcomes of major urologic surgery in older adult patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of multiple series and existing literature on radical urologic surgery in the elderly.
- Analysis of patient selection criteria and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Well-selected elderly patients can safely undergo major, extirpative urologic surgery.
- Morbidity in elderly patients is comparable to younger counterparts.
- Preoperative assessment tools like ASA score, Karnofsky index, and Charlson index aid in patient selection.
Conclusions:
- Radical urologic surgery is a safe and effective option for carefully selected elderly patients.
- Age alone should not be a contraindication for major urologic surgery.
- Utilizing validated scoring systems improves patient selection and counseling for urologic cancer surgery in the elderly.
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