Gastrectomy Outcomes in Elderly Patients

Gastric cancer is the 5th most common type of cancer diagnosed worldwide and ranks 3rd in cancer-related deaths. Along with surgical resection, perioperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy are the main treatment method. Various complications can be seen in the postoperative period, mainly pulmonary complications (13%), cardiac complications (6%), intra-abdominal abscesses (4%), and anastomotic leaks (3%). Approximately 5% of the patients die because of postoperative complications. It is known that low body mass index as a patient-specific factor is associated with postoperative complications and poor prognosis.

The incidence of gastric cancer remains relatively high and, with increasing life expectancy, the incidence of gastric cancer in elderly patients is increasing. Characteristics of elderly patients, such as reduced physiological function, poor nutritional status, and surgical trauma from radical gastrectomy, seem to result in higher postoperative morbidity, a longer length of hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and higher postoperative mortality. Elderly patients may have a worse prognosis compared to younger patients, primarily because of the increased risk of postoperative complications. Perioperative nutritional support and preoperative rehabilitation are beneficial for elderly patients with gastric cancer and may reduce surgical complications and mortality. Although some studies in the literature state that radical surgery can be performed for those aged 80 and over, some studies have argued that complications increase in elderly patients and that surgery should be limited.

Aim of the study is to identify prognostic factors for postoperative outcomes in elderly patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer.