Brain tumors in the elderly
T. Tomita and A. J. Raimondi
Eighty patients older than 65 years underwent craniotomy for primary or
secondary brain tumors. Glioblastoma was the most common tumor, followed by
metastatic carcinoma and meningioma. Three patients died within 30 days of
surgery. Twenty-three patients showed development of postoperative systemic
complications, of which pulmonary complications were most common.
Thirty-seven (44%) of the patients showed significant improvement, but 13
(21%) became worse after surgery. Most brain tumors in elderly patients are
operable. However, the surgical indications should be determined by the
nature of the tumor and the condition of the individual patient.
Preoperative and postoperative management must be more demanding if
systemic complication are to be avoided.
