Chemotherapy for elderly colorectal cancer patients at a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Introduction: surgical treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) in elderly patients has improved, but data on the tolerability and benefits of adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy in this growing population remains scarce.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective study to compare chemotherapy-associated toxicities in CRC patients aged < 70 years and ≥ 70 years at Tygerberg Hospital (South Africa). We also assessed tumor-related mortality, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) including predictive factors of OS.

Results: a total of 50 patients received either adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy. There was no difference in overall toxicity between the two groups. Out of the 50 patients, 8 (16%) had Grade 3-4 toxicity. 4 of these patients made up 15% of the < 70 years age group, whereas the other 4 made up 17% of the ≥ 70 years age group. The mean follow-up time was 47.5 months (95% CI 41.5 - 53.5 months). The 5-year over-all survival rate for stage II and III patients < 70 years and ≥ 70 years were 80.9% and 69.5%, respectively, and not significantly different (P = 0.52). Furthermore, the 5-year progression-free survival rates of the < 70 and ≥ 70 age groups were 70.7% and 58.8%, respectively, and also not statistically significantly different (P = 0.49). For stage IV patients, there were no significant differences in survival between the two age groups.

Conclusion: the benefits from adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy for elderly CRC patients are similar to that of younger patients. Therefore, standardized adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy is recommended for elderly patients.