RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer in elderly patients is one of the most important health issues in Korea, when considering its incidence and mortality rate. We have obtained the preliminary data concerning the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer in elderly people by analyzing the clinical and pathologic features. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 268 patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer and who also underwent surgical procedures in Bundang Seoul National University Hospital from May 2003 to May 2005. The patients were divided into two groups: those aged or =65 (n=106). We compared the clinical and pathological characteristics between the older and younger groups. RESULTS: The elderly group had more patients with well differentiated carcinoma (11.8% vs. 33.0%, respectively, p=0.001) and the intestinal type (34.0% vs. 59.4%, respectively, p<0.001). The frequency of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) was higher in the elderly group (5.6% vs. 17%, respectively, p=0.010). There was no significant difference in the postoperative recovery time (p=0.374) and the operation-related complication rate between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer in elderly patients demonstrated more pathologic types that have a known favorable outcome when compared to the younger patient group. We should more frequently consider surgery for the elderly patient with operable gastric cancer because of they have similar postoperative recovery compared to the younger patients.