title: Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Elderly with Gastric Cancer, and the Risk Factors of Postoperative Complications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In China, gastric cancer (GC), which is one of the most common malignant tumors, has an increasing incidence in elderly population due to aging process. Since a considerable number of elderly patients with GC accepting surgical treatments developed postoperative complications, it is necessary to evaluate risk factors for postoperative complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, the clinicopathologic characteristics of 3,024 elderly patients (aged ≥65 years) with GC, who underwent surgery between 1996 and 2006, were examined and contributing factors for postoperative complications were analyzed. A total of 2,915 non-elderly patients (aged <65 years) with GC during the same period were enrolled as a control group. Clinicopathologic characteristics of non-elderly patients were investigated and compared with elderly group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As to clinicopathologic characteristics, significant differences were detected in terms of location of primary lesions between elderly patients and non-elderly patients (p <.05), whereas no statistical difference was observed in other characteristics between two groups (p >.05). Surgical property and method in elderly patients were similar to that in non-elderly patients (p >.05). Regression analysis showed that diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease, preoperative anemia, preoperative hypoalbuminemia, combined organ excision, and blood transfusion were independent factors for complications in elderly patients (p <.05), with some differences from non-elderly group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elderly group with GC had distinctive clinicopathologic characteristics. Surgery remains principal treatment for elderly, and proper preoperative measures are required to decrease postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bibo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Liqiao
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qingwei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: clinicopathologic characteristics; elderly; gastric cancer; postoperative complication; surgical treatment