Older patients are more likely to present with localized disease, for which surgical resection remains the standard of care. However, prior studies suggest that elderly patients are less likely to receive curative-intent surgical resection and more likely to receive palliative therapies alone.1,2 Part of the reason for this disconnect may be conflicting data regarding the true risk of operating in the elderly. Ginsberg et al5 reported significantly higher rates of 30-day mortality (30-DM) in relationship to age, with rates for those aged < 60 years being 1.3%, aged 60 to 69 years 4.1%, and > 70 years 7.1%.