Period of 1968 to 1972, 221 patients with age of more than 61 were admitted to the Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital with various malignant diseases. Total patients who admitted to same department with malignant disease were 958 during same period.
Following results were obtained:
1. The most prevalent neoplasm in the aged is stomach cancer, which comprise 54.9% of neoplasm of the aged. Colo-rectal cancer is 13.9% and cancer of pancreas, biliary system is next.
2. Number of patient in aged group is 2 times more frequent than younger age group(below 30). Stomach cancer, breast cancer, pancreato-biliary cancer and anal cancer occurs more frequently in aged group compare to younger age group, Stomach cancer, skin cancer, and pancreato-biliary cancer seems to occur more frequently compare to31~60 years group. 3. More male is affected by cancer in 71 or more years of age.
4. Although majority of patients have non-focal extent of the malignant disease, cure expecting radical surgery could be done in more than half of the patient with little or nomorbidity and mortality. More radical and aggressive approach to the malignant disease of the aged seems to be desired.
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