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Gastric Cancer in the Elderly

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Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery

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Abstract

In recent decades, improved socioeconomic conditions, medical progress, and preventive medicine have lengthened life expectancy in our society and consequently increased the elderly population. Despite an overall drop in the incidence of gastric cancer in the Western world, increased life expectancy has resulted in a growing proportion of elderly patients with gastric cancer. Today, more than 30% of patients with gastric cancer are older than 70 years. Although some characteristics of this disease are similar in younger and older patients, management of gastric cancer in the elderly exhibits some significant differences and presents unique challenges compared to management in younger patients. In this chapter, we will explore some of the unique epidemiological and pathological features of this disease in the elderly. Furthermore, we will try to elucidate the ideal surgical treatment strategies and the role of multimodality management in this challenging group of patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OCL 112A, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Daniel Albo

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  1. Daniel Albo
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  2. Daniel A. Anaya
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  3. David H. Berger
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Correspondence to Daniel Albo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA

    Ronnie Ann Rosenthal

  2. Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Clarkson Ave. 450, Brooklyn, 11203, New York, USA

    Michael E. Zenilman

  3. , Chairman, Department of Surgery, Sinai Hospital, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, 21215, Maryland, USA

    Mark R. Katlic

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Albo, D., Anaya, D.A., Berger, D.H. (2011). Gastric Cancer in the Elderly. In: Rosenthal, R., Zenilman, M., Katlic, M. (eds) Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6999-6_62

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6999-6_62

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