Role of Surgery in the Elderly Patients Affected from Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer

E. V. Cafà, B. Pecorino^*, G. Scibilia, P. Scollo

Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department Maternal and Child, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy.

DOI: 10.4236/jct.2015.65046                

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare morbidity, surgical treatment and post-operative complications in elderly patients underwent surgery for advanced stage ovarian cancer, comparing to younger patients. Data of patients underwent surgery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Cannizzaro Hospital (Catania) for advanced stage (IIIC-IV) ovarian cancer were collected from January 2000 to December 2013. Patients were stratified by age in two groups (I > 65 years and II < 65 years old). Following variables were collected: stage of the tumor, associated diseases, previous chemotherapy, the type of surgical procedures, blood transfusions, intraoperative and postoperative morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. Median values between the two groups were compared using Mann-Whitney test and frequency data using χ². Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. A total of 179 patients were identified, they were divided into 2 groups: 64 patients were age 65 years or older (group I) and 115 patients were younger than age 65 (group II). In the whole series, 157 patients (87%) did not experience any complication. Overall, postoperative complications occurred in 10 (15%) patients in the group I and in 12 (10%) in the group II (p = NS). In conclusion, elderly patients may tolerate well surgical procedures within acceptable postoperative morbidity, a length of hospital stay and a need for intensive care quite similar to that of younger patients.

Keywords

Elderly, Surgery, Ovarian Cancer

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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