Comparative Study of Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes Between Elderly Patients and Younger Patients Who Received Radical Cystectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

PURPOSE: To compare the perioperative and survival outcomes of patients over 75 years and younger patients who received radical cystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 119 patients aged ≥75 years and 488 patients aged <75 years were enrolled. All patients underwent radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Overall survival and progression-free survival were analyzed by using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors affecting the outcomes observed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in perioperative complications between the elderly patient group and the younger patient group (p = 0.349). The 5-year overall survival of elderly patients was lower than that of young patients (p < 0.001). Age ≥75 years was a risk factor for overall survival (HR = 1.69 [95% CI: 1.22–2.35]; p = 0.002) and progression-free survival (HR = 1.69 [95% CI: 1.14–2.50]; p = 0.008) for patients who received radical cystectomy but was not a poor risk factor for major complications (HR = 1.25 [95% CI: 0.47–3.31]; p = 0.658) after radical cystectomy. In addition, preoperative renal insufficiency was associated with a higher risk of major complications. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, compared with younger patients, elderly patients aged ≥75 years had worse survival outcomes, but age ≥75 years was not a risk factor for major complications after radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Radical surgery should be encouraged for elderly patients who can tolerate aggressive treatments.