Outcome of Geriatric Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Cancer Surgery: Tertiary Care Center Experience in Central India

Background: With the global rise in life expectancy, an increasing number of elderly patients are undergoing complex oncologic procedures, including surgeries for head and neck cancers (HNC). In India, where tobacco-related malignancies are common, evaluating surgical outcomes in the geriatric population is crucial for guiding treatment decisions. Material And Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 914 patients who underwent head and neck cancer surgery between January 2020 and September 2024 at a tertiary care center. Patients were divided into two age groups: <65 years and ≥65 years. A total of 122 elderly patients (aged 65–90 years) were included. Data on demographics, comorbidities, cancer site, perioperative complications, and 30-day outcomes were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess risk-adjusted morbidity and mortality. Results: Elderly patients represented 13.34% of the surgical cohort. The most frequent cancer subsites were buccal mucosa (37.7%), tongue (20.5%), and lower alveolus (13.1%). Comorbidities were common, with hypertension (21.3%), diabetes, and pulmonary diseases being most prevalent. Postoperative complications occurred in 36.06% of patients, with pulmonary complications (12.3%) being the most frequent, followed by infections (7.4%) and bleeding (5.7%). Blood transfusion was required in 14.75% of cases. The 30-day readmission rate was 2.45%, and mortality rate was 3.27%. Conclusion: Elderly patients undergoing HNC surgery are at increased risk for complications, but with appropriate selection, surgical outcomes can be favorable. Chronological age alone should not preclude surgical intervention; instead, clinical decisions should focus on comorbidity burden, functional status, and perioperative optimization.