Outcome of gastric cancer in the elderly: a population-based evaluation of the Munich Cancer Registry

Background: Gastric cancer accounts for 5 % of cancer deaths. Proportions of older stomach cancer patients are increasing. Despite the still poor prognosis, standardised treatment has achieved improvements; nonetheless it is questionable whether all age groups have benefitted. Age and outcome need to be examined in a population-based setting. Methods: Analyses included Munich Cancer Registry (MCR) data from 8601 invasive gastric cancer patients, diagnosed between 1998 and 2012. Tumour and therapy characteristics and outcome were analysed by two age groups (<70 vs. ≥70 years). Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and relative survival was computed as an estimation for cancer-specific survival. Additional landmark analyses were conducted by calculating conditional survival of patients who survived more than 6 months. Results: Fifty-nine per cent of the cohort were ≥70 years old. These patients had tumours with a slightly better prognosis and were treated with less radical surgery and adjuvant therapy than younger patients. The 5-year relative survival was 40 % for the youngest (<50 years) and 23 % for the oldest patients (≥80 years). Survival differences were diminished or eliminated after landmark analyses: The 5-year relative survival in age groups 50–59, 60–69 and 70–79 years was comparable (between 48 and 49.6 %) and slightly worse in the youngest and oldest (45 %), which may be explained by more aggressive tumours and effects of cellular senescence, respectively. Conclusion: The treatment and care of elderly gastric cancer patients in the MCR catchment area seems appropriate: if a patient’s general condition allows oncologic resection and chemotherapy, it is conducted and the result is comparable between age groups.