Rectal cancer treatment and outcomes in elderly patients treated with curative intent.

678Background: There is limited information on outcomes in elderly patients with rectal cancer as they are often excluded from clinical trials. This study aimed to assess treatment patterns and outcomes in these patients. Methods: We utilised data from electronic records to identify patients aged ≥ 70 years with a histological diagnosis of rectal cancer from 2006-2015, treated in the South Western Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Districts, Australia. Treatment modalities, recurrence and survival data were analysed. Results: We identified 942 patients with rectal cancer, with median follow-up of 3.4 years. 393 patients (42%) were aged ≥ 70 years. Median age of this cohort was 77 years (range 70–96 years). Elderly patients were more likely to present with locoregional disease (stage I-III, 83% vs. 75%) and more likely to receive palliative treatment only (21% vs. 16%, p = 0.0005). Of 704 patients who received treatment with curative intent, 300 (43%) were ≥ 70 years. Although clinicopathologica...