Predictive Factors for Functional and Quality of Life Decline in Patients >65 Years With a Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer Diagnosis Taken to Curative Resectable Surgery

Introduction: Human life expectancy has increased significantly, leading to a transformation in the global demographic structure. Cancer is considerably more common among older adults compared to younger populations, as age is one of the main risk factors for its development. In fact, most solid tumors are considered age-related diseases. For this reason, the incidence of cancer among older individuals is expected to continue rising. Oncological care for this population group is particularly complex and represents a significant challenge, as comorbidities and the social aspects of aging create clinical scenarios that differ greatly from those seen in younger patients.

Objective: To identify the predictive factors of functional decline and quality of life at 12 months of follow-up, as well as oncological outcomes at 5 years of follow-up, in patients aged 65 years and older with gastrointestinal cancer who undergo curative-intent resective surgery at Hospital Universitario Mayor - Méderi, Bogotá, Colombia.

Methodology: Longitudinal and analytical observational study of prospective prognostic cohort type.

Expected Results: Predictive model of functional decline and quality of life, as well as oncological outcomes, in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing curative-intent surgical procedures.