Age, Frailty, and Comorbidity as Predictors of Mortality and Failure to Rescue After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery: A National Retrospective Cohort Study

Chronological age, comorbidity, and frailty each predict worse outcomes following GI cancer surgery, but advanced age remains the dominant driver of 90-day mortality and FTR. These findings underscore the need for risk stratification, shared decision-making, and preoperative optimization as wells as intense surveillance for complications and early definitive care of older adults undergoing major oncologic operations.