Objective: To find out if resections of cancers of the head of pancreatic are justified in patients over the age of 70 years.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: University hospital, Germany.
Subjects: 519 patients with cancers of the pancreatic head, 93 (18%) of whom were aged 70 or over.
Main outcome measures: Comparison of outcomes between those aged 70 or over, and those aged less than 70.
Results: There were 247 ductal adenocarcinomas, 134 carcinomas of the papilla of Vater, 79 carcinomas of the distal common bile duct, and 59 miscellaneous tumours. Of all variables compared (age, sex, symptoms, operations, clinical and pathological stage. morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival) the only significant difference between the groups was that leaks from the pancreaticojejunostomy occured more often in the older age group (p = 0.02). However, this did not influence overall morbidity or mortality.
Conclusion: Patients' age is not a limiting factor in attempts at curative resection of cancers of the head of pancreas. If the tumour is resectable and patient is motivated and well enough, resection is indicated whatever the age.