What happens when we do not operate? Survival following conservative bowel cancer management

Introduction While surgery is the cornerstone of bowel cancer treatment, it comes with significant risks. Among patients aged over 80 years, 30-day mortality is 13%-15%, and additionally 12% will not return home and go on to live in supportive care. The question for patients and clinicians is whether operative surgery benefits elderly, frail patients. Methods Multidisciplinary team outcomes between October 2010 and April 2012 were searched to conduct a retrospective analysis of patients with known localised colorectal cancer who did not undergo surgery due to being deemed unfit. Results Twenty six patients survived for more than a few weeks following surgery, of whom 20% survived for at least 36 months. The average life expectancy following diagnosis was 1 year and 176 days, with a mean age at diagnosis of 87 years (range 77-93 years). One patient survived for 3 years and 240 days after diagnosis. Conclusions Although surgeons are naturally focused on surgical outcomes, non-operative outcomes are equally as important for patients. Elderly, frail patients benefit less from surgery for bowel cancer and have higher risks than younger cohorts, and this needs to be carefully discussed when jointly making the decision whether or not to operate.