Surgical Therapy of Elderly Patients with Gastric Cancer

Objective To investigate clinical characteristics, surgical treatment methods,and prognosis of elderly patients with gastric cancer. Methods Clinicopathological and periodical follow-up data of 237 patients aged 60 years and older with gastric cancer from January 2000 to January 2005 were studied retrospectively. Results Characteristics of gastric cancer of elderly patients included advanced stage, more complication and higher death rate.The clinical cure rate was 97.0%, the fatality in the peri-operative period was 3.0%, and the postoperative complication rate was 25.7%.Conclusion Great efforts should be made to the management during peri-operative period, the choice of reasonable operative methods,to lower risk of operation and to decrease concurrent disease.