TPTh 8.09 3-Year Survival in Patients Aged ≥80 Years with Colorectal Cancer: A Comparative Study of Operative and Non-Operative Management

Abstract Aims This study aims to seek the natural history of colorectal cancer in elderly patients aged 80 years and above managed in a District General Hospital in the UK. It evaluates the prevalence of types of colorectal cancers in this age group and survival outcome on 3 yearly follow-ups, analysing colon and rectal cancers separately to characterise consequences of non-operative management versus operative management in this population. Methodology A retrospective observational cohort study was performed at Peterborough City Hospital. Patients aged ≥80 years diagnosed with colorectal cancer between April 2018 and December 2021 were included managed both operatively and non-operatively and outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Our data comprised of 293 patients; 151 were males and 142 females ranging from 80-99 years. The most prevalent colorectal cancer was found to be right sided. There was no statistical difference in survival rates when comparing outcomes of genders and locations of the cancers. 51.4% of our patients underwent operative management, of which 57% remained alive at the end of the 3 years follow up. Conversely, those that did not have operative management had a poor 3-year survival rate with 8.9% remaining alive. Furthermore, those that were operated on in the 80–84-year group were found to have significantly higher survival rates. Conclusions Operative management for colorectal cancer patients in the over 80s cohort remain the most effective option with regards to 3-year prognosis and this should be taken into account when counselling patients who are undecided on the surgical management.