Clinical significance analysis of radical operation for gastric cancer in elderly patients

Objective To analyze the therapeutic effect of the radical operation for gastric cancer in elderly patients and to investigate relevant factors affecting the efficacy Methods 216 cases of elderly patients with gastric cancer were divided into two groups: radical distal- and proximal-gastrectomy group(n=108, each). The therapeutic effect in the near future, intraoperative and postoperative recovery, numbers of lymph nodes resection as well as factors affecting the long-term survival rate were compared between two groups. Results The radical distal-versus proximal-gastrectomy group showed that the mean operation time was(241.8±40.2)min vs.(244.7±39.7)min, blood loss was(299.5±114.9)ml vs.(273.8±121.4)ml, the number of lymph node dissection was(28.4±9.4)vs.(27.7±9.1)particles, the complication rate was〔14/108(13.0%)〕vs. 〔15/108(14.0%)〕, 3-year survival rate was(46.9%)vs.(47.5%), without statistically significant differences(all P>0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that TNM stage(OR= 1.536), lymph node metastasis(OR=0.739), cancer infiltration depth(OR=1.534)and chemotherapy regimens(OR=1.337)are risk factors for the postoperative 3-year survival rate. Conclusions Surgical treatment of elderly patients with gastric cancer is significantly effective, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, tumor size and the chemotherapy regimens are closely associated with the life quality of patients. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Surgical procedures, operative