In a prospective study the results of surgery for gastric carcinoma were analysed comparing patients under 70 years of age (n = 384) and patients over 70 years of age. The surgical treatment for gastric cancer resulted in increased mortality in patients over 70 years of age due to severe risk factors. Optimization of anociassociation and stageoriented cancer treatment may further prolong survival of patients over 70 years of age with this malignancy.