Should patients over 85 years old be operated on for colorectal cancer

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate risk factors for mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival in very old patients with colorectal cancer compared with old patients. Methods: Patients operated on with colorectal cancer aged 75 years old or older were divided into 2 groups: Group A (75-84 years, n = 93) and Group B (≥85, n = 21). Results: The serum albumin level, oxygen pressure in arterial blood gases, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second in Group B were significantly lower than in Group A, respectively (P= 0.0094, 0.0264, 0.0363). Pulmonary complications were developed significantly more frequently in Group B than in Group A (P = 0.0019). Group B had a significantly higher mortality rate than Group A (P = 0.0477). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the 2- and 5-year survival rates. Conclusions: Very old patients with colorectal cancer should not be denied surgery on account of chronological age alone, although the perioperative risks for the very old are very high.