Key clinical point: In older patients with potentially resectable gastric cancer, gastrectomy vs. conservative treatment may improve survival. The minimally invasive approach has fewer complications and extended lymphadenectomy may have survival benefit.
Major finding: Gastrectomy vs. conservative treatment improved overall survival in all six studies included in the analysis, but study quality was low and meta-analysis was not feasible. Minimally invasive vs. open gastrectomy was associated with fewer complications (pooled risk ratio 0.71; P = .005) and similar OS ( P = .58). Extended vs. limited lymphadenectomy prolonged OS or cancer-specific survival in two cohort studies, with similar complication rates.
Study details: This systematic review of 31 studies included patients aged ≥ 70 years with potentially resectable stage I-III gastric cancer.
Disclosures: This study had no sponsors. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Argillander TE et al. Outcomes of surgical treatment of non-metastatic gastric cancer in patients aged 70 and older: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2022 (May 16). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2022.05.003