A comparison of elderly versus nonelderly patients in the CRITICS gastric cancer trial.

<jats:p> 81 </jats:p><jats:p> Background: Although the proportion of elderly cancer patients (pts) increases, few randomized trials provide separate results on this group. Here, we present a sub-analysis of the CRITICS trial, comparing elderly with non-elderly pts. Methods: Preoperative (preop) chemotherapy (CT) included three cycles of epirubicin, cisplatin/oxaliplatin and capecitabine (ECC/EOC); pts were upfront randomized between postoperative (postop) CT (3x ECC/EOC) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT; 45Gy + cisplatin/capecitabine). Elderly pts were defined as age ≥ 70 years at the time of randomization. We present tolerability and outcomes for elderly versus non-elderly pts. Results: Details on baseline characteristics, preop treatment, surgery, postop treatment and survival are shown in Table 1. Tumor type and localization did not differ between both groups. Conclusions: Age had a significant impact on toxicity and tolerability of preop CT, but did not affect surgical resection rates and complications. Although less elderly pts started postop treatment and elderly pts received lower dose in de CT arm, there were no differences in treatment related toxicities. Survival was not significantly different. Clinical trial information: NCT00407186. [Table: see text] </jats:p>