Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Hastaneleri, Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı - ANKARA Colorectal cancers which are among the most freguent causes of cancer related deaths are observed mostly in the elderly patients. In this group of patients, incidence of comorbid systemic disease is higher and may affect the course of cancer therapy. In this study 109 elderly colorectal cancer patients which era older than 70 years of age are compared with 619 patients which are younger than 70 years of age who were treated in the same time period. Intestinal obstruction is seen more freguently in the elderly patients (18.1% vs. 11.3% (p=0.029)). Rectal bleeding and pain are the most freguent symptoms and are abserved egually in both groups. One third of patients in both groups have rectal mass in the rectal examination. Tumor stage is similar in both groups and the rate of curative sungery is 68%. Postoperative morbidity is same in both elderly and young patients. But the incidence of postoperative mortality is higher in the elderly patients (%14.7 vs. %4.2 (p=0.005)). The same surgical therapy is indicated in both elderly and yourger patients. But comorbid diseases must be evaluated promptly in the elderly patients and preoperative preparation should be properly done. Keywords : Colorectal cancer, Surgery, Treatment, Elderly