Ovarian cancer in the elderly: Impact of surgery on morbidity and survival

Abstract Background Elderly ovarian cancer patients often undergo non-optimal surgery due to their age despite of the high risk of recurrence. The aim of this study was to determine if more postoperative complications occurred in patients over 70 years and to compare extent of surgery with younger patients. Materials and methods Between 2001 and 2009, 172 patients with ovarian cancer were included. We compared patient characteristics, surgical course, postoperative complications and outcome for patients under and over 70 years. Results 143 patients were under 70 years and 29 over. There were no difference between the two groups for tumors characteristics, time of surgery, FIGO stage, standard surgical procedures and rate of optimal resection. Patients over 70 years had less peritoneal surgery ( p