Surgery in elderly patients with head and neck cancer

A retrospective analysis of 19 patients aged 70 years or more with head and neck cancer, admitted between January 1982 and March 1983, was performed. Of these patients, radical surgical excision was performed on seven. At present recurrence has been observed in only one. Associated illness was found in 11 patients, hypertension and cardiac disease, in four cases each, being most frequent. Surgical operation should be performed even on elderly patients if the operation is indicated. However, careful and delicate management before, during and after the operation is essential.