Laurent A, Marechal R, Farinella E, Bouazza F, Charaf Y, Gay F, Van Laethem JL, Gonsette K, El Nakadi I. Esophageal cancer: Outcome and potential benefit of esophagectomy in elderly patients.
Thorac Cancer 2022;
13:2699-2710. [PMID:
36000335 PMCID:
PMC9527164 DOI:
10.1111/1759-7714.14596]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
This analysis evaluated the morbimortality and the potential benefit of esophagectomy for cancer in elderly patients.
Methods
Patients who underwent esophagectomy for EC were divided into elderly (≥70 years) and nonelderly (<70 years) groups. The groups were compared regarding patient and tumor characteristics, postoperative morbimortality, and disease‐free, overall and cancer‐specific survival.
Results
Sixty‐one patients were classified into elderly, and 187 into nonelderly groups. The elderly were characterized by a higher rate of WHO score (p < 0.0001), higher cardiac (p < 0.004) and renal (p < 0.023) comorbidities.
The rate of neoadjuvant therapy and especially of neoadjuvant CRT was significantly lower in elderly patients (p < 0.018 and p < 0.007). Operative morbidity was also higher in this group (p < 0.024).
The 30‐ and 90‐day mortality was 8.2 and 11.5%, respectively in elderly patients and 0.5 and 3.2% in nonelderly patients (p < 0.004 and p < 0.012). This 90‐day mortality decreased when specific surgery‐related deaths were taken into consideration. OS and DFS were significantly better in the nonelderly group (p < 0.003 and p < 0.005) while no difference was observed for cancer‐specific survival (CSS).
Conclusion
No difference in CSS was observed. Although elderly patients with EC had higher postoperative morbimortality, the age should not be a criterion whether to perform, or not to perform, esophagectomy. This decision must be based on the balance between the patient's general condition and aggressive disease.
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