Treatment of colon cancer in the elderly

The occurrence of colon cancer is closely related to age. Due to concerns about the risks of colonoscopy, many people are reluctant to undergo regular colorectal cancer screening, especially the elderly. Therefore, many elderly patients with colon cancer only seek medical treatment when the tumor is relatively large and obvious obstruction or bleeding occurs. The following is an introduction to the treatment of elderly colon cancer.

1. Expected goals and tumor staging: If the tumor stage is good and it is possible to completely remove it, the prognosis of colorectal cancer is generally good, and surgery is generally recommended. If the tumor has metastasized widely, the long-term effect is generally poor, and some conservative treatment is recommended. However, if obstruction or severe bleeding occurs, some surgeries to relieve symptoms can be performed, such as diversion surgery. In the case of single obstruction, colonoscopy stent treatment can also be used.
2. Safety of treatment: Colorectal cancer surgery is relatively safe, and it is common for people in their 80s to undergo colorectal cancer surgery. Laparoscopic surgery has the advantage of being minimally invasive, and its effectiveness in treating colorectal cancer has also been supported by large-sample studies in countries with high incidence of colorectal cancer and the highest levels of treatment, such as the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. However, for the elderly, even minimally invasive surgeries must pay close attention to risks. Coronary heart disease, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, and diabetes are the most common complications in the elderly, and whether they can tolerate surgery requires consultation with doctors from relevant departments and anesthesiologists.
3. Postoperative adjuvant therapy: For people over 70 years old, conventional postoperative chemotherapy is generally not recommended. In recent years, the application of some chemotherapy regimens based on oral preparations of 5-FU prodrug in the elderly has gradually increased.