Objective: To describe the surgical indication, clinicopathological features and outcomes of elderly patients suffered gastric cancer. Material and method: A retro-observational study of 131 elders (65 years) within 580 gastric cancer patients who were operated on at Viet Duc hospital from Jan 1992 to Dee 1998. The clinicopathological characteristics, surgical indication and outcomes of two group patients were compared. Results: No significant difference concerning preoperative clinocopathological characteristics between two groups, except comorbidity rate in lederly patient group was significantly higher than control group. Partial gastrectomy with D1 lymph node dissection was performed in most elderly patient group, while extensive gastrectomy with D2-D3 lymph node dissection was predominantly performed in younger patients. Although, there was no significant diffrerence regarding postoperative morbidity as well as mortality between two groups patients
the 1-3- and 5- years survival rate of these two groups was not significant too. Conclusion: Gastrectomy for cancer in elderly patients was safe and effective. When performing gastrectomy for cancer, it should be using D1 lymph node dissection
total gastrectomy should be only performed when necessary.