Outcomes of colorectal cancer surgery in nonagenarian patients: a multicenter retrospective study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of surgery in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) aged ≥90 years remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term postoperative and long-term oncologic outcomes of CRC surgery in patients within this age group. METHODS: A total of 151 consecutive nonagenarian patients who underwent CRC surgery were included from 3 different hospitals. The Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) was used to grade postoperative complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with CCI and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 92.8 years (standard deviation ±1.9 years). Forty-six patients (30.5%) underwent emergency surgery, and 105 patients (69.5%) underwent elective surgery. The postoperative complications rate was 66.2% (100/151), and the mean CCI was 26.3 (±30.8). Twenty-three patients (15.2%) died postoperatively, and the perioperative mortality rates for elective surgery and emergency surgery were 7.6% (8/105) and 32.6% (15/46), respectively (P<0.001). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 77.5%, 53.9%, and 38.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed emergency surgery and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score to be predictors of postoperative complications. Advanced tumor stage, palliative surgery, ASA score ≥4, and CCI >17 were associated with poor OS. CONCLUSIONS: CRC surgery should not be denied to nonagenarian patients. Surgical treatment can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality, and achieves long-term survival in a select group.