Rectal cancer: Pattern of care in the elderly

17563 Background: Though rectal cancers are common in the elderly, such patients are under treated due to presumed indolent nature of disease and expected toxicity. It is essential to audit the actual treatment delivered in the community as this is a useful way to assess the provided health care against the backdrop of clinical trials. This study describes the pattern of care among elderly rectal cancer patients at our center. Methods: We performed an audit of elderly (≥ 80 years) with rectal cancers diagnosed between the period of December 1997 and December 2006. Emphasis was on the actual treatment delivered to the patients. Results: There were 55 patients (males-33; females-22) identified with median age of 84 years (range 80–93 years). Disease stage was known in 42 patients (Duke A - 7, Duke B- 17, Duke C - 11, Duke D- 7). Majority (83.6%) had surgery for the primary. Surgical resection was the only treatment for all (except one) Duke A patient. Among Duke B patients, all had primary resection, 5 (30%...