Background: Oesophagectomy may have morbidity and mortality rates that severely compromise long-term survival in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes in elderly patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with those of younger controls.
Methods: Elderly patients at least 70 years old with oesophageal SCC were matched 1 : 1 with controls aged less than 70 years according to sex, tumour stage, tumour location, histological grade, surgical approach, completeness of resection and surgical period. Co-morbidities, surgical complications, surgical mortality and long-term survival were compared.
Results: One hundred and thirty-six patients were included in each group. Surgical mortality was greater in the elderly group (5.9 versus 0.7 per cent; P = 0.036). Overall and disease-specific 5-year survival rates were worse among patients aged at least 70 years (30.0 versus 41.8 per cent, and 31.5 versus 44.7 per cent respectively), as were 10-year rates (13.7 versus 26.4 per cent, and 20.2 versus 29.0 per cent). Disease-free survival rates after 5 years (24.0 versus 35.5 per cent) and 10 years (12.3 versus 24.3 per cent) were not statistically significant (P = 0.076).
Conclusion: Poor functional status may account for higher morbidity and mortality rates in elderly patients with oesophageal SCC. Acceptable perioperative mortality rates and substantial long-term survival can still be achieved. Elderly patients should not be denied oesophagectomy.