Abstract

Background: In elderly colon cancer patients, we investigated which patient factors were associated with treatment tolerance and outcome.

Design: Populace based information from five districts remembered for the Netherlands Malignant growth Library were utilized. Patients with resected stage III colon disease matured ≥75 years analyzed in 1997-2004 who got adjuvant chemotherapy (N = 216) were incorporated as well as an irregular example (N = 341) of patients who just went through a medical procedure.

Results: Refusal by the patient or family or a combination of high age, co-morbidity, and poor performance status (PS, 43%) were the most common reasons for withholding adjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment regimens were modified in 57% of patients receiving chemotherapy. 52 percent of patients who had surgery alone experienced fewer complications than those who had adjuvant chemotherapy. Even after taking into account differences in age, comorbidity, and PS, the selection of patients who had survived the first year following surgery showed that those who received adjuvant chemotherapy had a better 5-year overall survival (52 percent versus 34 percent).

Conclusion: Older patients who received chemotherapy appeared to have a longer survival time despite the high rates of toxicity and treatment regimen modifications. In order to determine which patient characteristics are predictive of the risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly colon cancer patients, prospective studies are required.