Evaluation of surgical treatment of carcinoma of the oesophagus in the elderly: 20 years' experience.

The results of 231 oesophageal resections and reconstruction in 395 patients with thoracic oesophageal carcinoma presenting in the last 20 years are reported. In patients over 70, the incidence of multiple pathology and postoperative complication was high. The most frequent causes of death after surgery were pulmonary complications, and anastomotic leakage. As the mortality rate in the aged group exceeded that of the younger groups, careful pre-operative assessment, the indication for surgery and postoperative care should be carefully considered, even though only surgery offers a hope of cure for patients with oesophageal carcinoma. If the elderly can tolerate the surgical procedures, the 5 year survival rate equals that of the younger patients.