Evaluation of treatment strategies for gastric cancer in the elderly according to the number of abnormal parameters on preoperative examination

Validity of additional surgical resection by comparing the operative risk with the stratified lymph node metastatic risk in patients with early gastric cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background

Treatment guidelines for early gastric cancer (EGC) recommend additional gastrectomy for lesions which do not achieve curative resection after ESD, due to the potential risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). However, many cases are found to have no LNMs, and additional gastrectomy itself can be a considerable risk especially in elderly patients.

Methods

We retrospectively stratified the risk of LNM according to the total number of four LNM risk factors (RFs) that resulted in non-curative resection for ESD in 861 EGC patients who underwent gastrectomy. Next, we compared this stratification risk to the surgical risk based on the National Clinical Database (NCD) risk calculator in 58 patients who underwent additional gastrectomy.

Results

As the total number of LNM RFs increased, the frequency of LNM also increased significantly (0/1RF 0.76%, 2RFs 15.08%, 3RFs 33.87%, 4RFs 50.00%; p < 0.01). The estimated frequency of LNM was found to be lower than the predicted value of in-hospital mortality rate based on the NCD risk calculator in 25.0% of 0/1RF patients.

Conclusion

These findings indicate, at least, that we should discuss the indication of additional gastrectomy individually for each patient from both perspectives of LNM and surgical risks.

Postoperative morbidity in elderly patients after gastric cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients have a high risk of adverse outcomes after surgery. Therefore, it is essential to determine the predictive factors for postoperative morbidity in elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery.

METHODS

A total of 544 patients who underwent elective gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Yodogawa Christian Hospital between January 2007 and December 2015 were divided into the elderly group (age ≥70 years, n=282) and a control group (age <70 years, n=262). Clinicopathological data from all patients were reviewed.

RESULTS

The overall morbidity rates were 24.8% in the elderly group and 13.4% in the control group, indicating a significant difference (P<0.001). The incidence rates of anastomotic leakage (4.6% vs. 1.5%, P=0.039) and cardiovascular complications (2.5% vs. 0%, P=0.01) were significantly higher in the elderly group. A multivariate analysis revealed that a blood loss of ≥320 mL was an independent predictive factor of overall morbidity (P=0.004). A blood loss of ≥219 mL (P=0.025) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 3/4 (P=0.006) were associated with anastomotic leakage and postoperative cardiovascular complications, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall morbidity rate was significantly higher among elderly patients and an intraoperative blood loss of ≥320 mL was a significant predictive factor. In particular, anastomotic leakage and cardiovascular complications were seen with greater frequency among those with a higher blood loss volume and ASA physical status, respectively.

Value of geriatric frailty and nutritional status assessment in predicting postoperative mortality in gastric cancer surgery

OBJECTIVES

This study seeks to evaluate assessment of geriatric frailty and nutritional status in predicting postoperative mortality in gastric cancer surgery.

METHODS

Preoperatively, patients operated for gastric adenocarcinoma underwent assessment of Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) and Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ). We studied retrospectively whether these scores were associated with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

From 2005 to September 2012 180 patients underwent surgery with an overall mortality of 8.3%. Patients with a GFI ≥ 3 (n = 30, 24%) had a mortality rate of 23.3% versus 5.2% in the lower GFI group (OR 4.0, 95%CI 1.1-14.1, P = 0.03). For patients who underwent surgery with curative intent (n = 125), this was 27.3% for patients with GFI ≥ 3 (n = 22, 18%) versus 5.7% with GFI < 3 (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.0-20.9, P = 0.05). SNAQ ≥ 1 (n = 98, 61%) was associated with a mortality rate of 13.3% versus 3.2% in patients with SNAQ =0 (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.1-23.8, P = 0.04). Given odds ratios are corrected in multivariate analyses for age, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, type of surgery, tumor stage and ASA classification.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows a significant relationship between gastric cancer surgical mortality and geriatric frailty as well as nutritional status using a simple questionnaire. This may have implications in preoperative decision making in selecting patients who optimally benefit from surgery.

Postoperative complications and survival after gastric cancer surgery in patients older than 80 years of age

BACKGROUND

This study sought to identify and evaluate the risk factors of postoperative complications, prognostic factors, and appropriate surgical strategies in elderly patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer.

METHODS

The medical records of 396 radical gastrectomies conducted from January 2006 to December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical results and survival rates were assessed for 60 elderly patients (aged ≥ 80 years) and 336 non-elderly patients (aged < 80 years). The study groups were compared with respect to clinicopathological findings, surgical outcomes, and survival.

RESULTS

Elderly patients underwent gastrectomies with shorter operation time, showed less extensive lymphadenectomy, and had a significant difference in overall survival compared with non-elderly patients, although there was no difference in cause-specific survival among patients receiving curative resection. No significant risk factors affecting postoperative complications were identified in the elderly patients. Number of comorbidities (≥2) (HR, 5.30; 95 % CI, 1.11-25.32; P = 0.037) and TNM stage (≥II) (HR, 12.97; 95 % CI, 1.60-105.38; P = 0.017) were identified as independent prognostic factors in the elderly patients receiving curative resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Age is not an independent prognostic factor for patients receiving curative resection for gastric cancer. Multiple comorbidities may also influence the prognosis of elderly patients. Careful follow-up would improve overall survival for elderly patients.

Systemic treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in elderly patients

PURPOSE

Gastrointestinal cancer (GI) incidence increases with each decade of life and is the leading cause of death in patients aged >70 years. Nevertheless, elderly patients are often excluded or underrepresented in clinical trials. We performed a review of current recommendations in the management of GI elderly cancer patients.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed analyzing data about several meta-analysis and studies regarding chemotherapeutic regimens in elderly patients with colorectal and gastroesophageal cancers.

RESULTS

Most of the studies demonstrated that the elderly experience the same advantages and toxicities from chemotherapy as younger individuals despite the fact that the data reviewed in this article provide evidence that elderly with GI cancers are underrepresented in clinical trials and few trials are conducted addressing the different risks and aims in older population. Each individual should be assessed for an appropriate regimen of treatment in the adjuvant or metastatic gastrointestinal cancer setting, and the decision of how to treat elderly must incorporate goals and preferences of the patient after a careful discussion of risks and benefits.

CONCLUSION

Chronological age alone is not a sufficient factor to withhold curative/palliative treatment from an elderly GI cancer patient, and cofactors regarding their functional, social, and mental status have to be considered. For this purpose, several tools exist that may be utilized, such as geriatric assessment scores, comorbidity indices, frailty indices, scores for predicting toxicity from chemotherapy, and prognostic indices for survival.

Gastric cancer in the elderly: an overview

AIMS

Gastric cancer in the elderly represents a distinct entity with specific clinicopathological characteristics and the majority of affected patients belong to this age group. Subtotal or total gastrectomy with radical lymph node dissection, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy or perioperative chemotherapy represent the only potentially curative treatment options and seem to be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in selected elderly patients. Published research is very limited due to the strict selection and under-representation of elderly patients in clinical trials. A review of current recommendations and practice was performed.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed searching Medline for articles published since 1974, using "gastric cancer", "elderly" and "treatment" as keywords.

OBSERVATIONS

The data suggest that elderly patients that fulfill the inclusion criteria of clinical trials experience the same advantages and toxicities from chemotherapy as younger patients. Fit elderly patients with operable gastric cancer should be candidates for the standard surgical resection provided that preoperative comorbidities are taken into account. Perioperative chemotherapy or postoperative chemoradiotherapy should be added in case of locally advanced disease. Palliative systemic chemotherapy seems to prolong survival in recurrent and metastatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronological age alone is not sufficient reason to withhold curative or palliative treatment from an elderly gastric cancer patient. Performance status does not suffice in order to estimate the general condition of elderly patients and cofactors regarding their functional, social and mental status have to be considered.

Gastric cancer patients treated by a general or gastric cancer surgical team: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Although gastric cancer has been decreasing in incidence in many countries, it is still the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Its prognosis is poor and depends, among other factors, on early diagnosis as well as on surgeon expertise.

AIM

To compare the outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated at a university hospital by a general surgical team and later on by a gastric cancer surgical team.

METHODS

Gastric cancer patients were separated into two groups according to whether they were treated by a general surgical team (group 1, n = 136; 1984 to 1993) or by gastric cancer team (group 2, n = 149; 1994 to 2003). Clinical and pathologic features and survival rates were assessed.

RESULTS

During a 20-year period, a decreased number of patients underwent surgical resection in the second period (94% vs 86%), a greater number of upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed resulting in an increased number of tumors diagnosed as stage I (5% vs 22%). Also, D2 gastrectomies were more frequently performed instead of D0 gastrectomies and negative surgical margins were adequate. Mortality decreased from 9% to 6% in group 1 and 2, respectively and adjuvant therapy has been considered.

CONCLUSION

Surgical specialized units for gastric cancer are necessary if better results are to be expected since this approach definitely provides better patient care.

Gastric cancer surgery in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

To investigate the value of individual risk-adapted therapy in geriatric patients, we performed a consecutive analysis of 363 patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for gastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients underwent extensive preoperative workup to assess surgical risk. The following criteria were evaluated in 3 age groups (<60 years, 60-75 years, and >75 years): comorbidity, tumor characteristics, type of resection, postoperative morbidity and mortality, recurrence rate, overall survival, and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

There was an increased rate of comorbidity in the higher age groups (51% vs 76% vs 83%; P<0.05). Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases were most common. There was a decrease in the rate of both total gastrectomy (74%, 54%, 46%; P<0.05) and D2 lymphadenectomy (78%, 53%, 31%; P<0.05). The 30-day mortality in the 3 age groups was 0%, 1%, and 8%, respectively (P<0.05). There was only a slight difference in tumor recurrence rate (35%, 37%, and 27%; P=0.437), with no significant difference in 5-year cancer-related survival (61%, 53%, 61%; P=0.199).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient selection and risk-adapted surgery in elderly patients can result in acceptable therapeutic results comparable to younger patients. Limited surgery in elderly gastric cancer patients with high comorbidity does not necessarily compromise oncological outcome.