Neoplasms of the large intestine in elderly patients

The aim of the study was to compare 2 groups of patients with colorectal cancer treated between 1985-1995. The analysed group consisted of 228 patients aged over 70. Reference group consisted of 330 younger ones. The stage of colorectal cancer (Dukes classification) was similar in both groups. Complications of the colorectal cancer often occurred in the elderly patients (21.9% vs. 10%, respectively). The incidence of associated diseases was also higher (70.6% vs. 59.1%). Operability was similar in both groups (93% vs. 98.8%) but resectability was lower in the elderly group (67.4% vs. 80.1%, respectively). Postoperative complications were observed in the similar percent of cases except those aged over 70 (17.5% vs. 4.9%), especially after emergency operations (31.6% vs. 4.7%, respectively).