Factors affecting short-term survival in patients older than 85 treated with resection for stage II and III colon...

Patients ≥85 years of age have high rates of colon cancer but disproportionately poor outcomes. Factors affecting short-term (90-day) survival in patients ≥85 undergoing surgery for stage II and III colon cancer were examined to identify potentially modifiable factors to improve outcomes.

The New York State Cancer Registry and Statewide Planning Research and Cooperative System were queried for patients ≥85 years who underwent colectomy for stage II and III colon cancer between 2004 and 2012. Regression analyses were performed for factors associated with 90-day mortality and stratified by elective and nonelective surgery.

In total, 3,779 patients ≥85 years of age underwent colectomy between 2004 and 2012 for stage II or III colon cancer. Of these, 48.4% underwent nonelective colectomy, 79.9% had an open operation, and 90-day survival was 83.2%. Worse survival was associated with nonelective surgery (odds ratio = 3.81, 95% confidence interval = 3.03-4.89). Improved survival in the nonelective and overall groups was associated with a minimally invasive operation (nonelective group: odds ratio = 0.35, 95% confidence interval = 0.21-0.58; overall group: odds ratio = 0.50, 95% confidence interval = 0.36-0.73) and discharged to another health care facility (nonelective group: odds ratio = 0.30, 95% confidence interval = 0.22-0.39; overall group: odds ratio = 0.42, 95% confidence interval = 0.33-0.53). High surgeon annual operating volume was associated with improved survival in the elective and nonelective groups (P < .001).

Factors associated with greater odds of 90-day mortality in this population include nonelective surgery, preoperative weight loss, and multiple comorbidities, whereas a minimally invasive approach was associated with lower mortality. Potential areas to improve outcomes in this population include using a multidisciplinary team approach, addressing frailty preoperatively when possible, and potentially reconsidering screening guidelines for colorectal cancer to reduce rates of emergency operations.