By Lisa Rapaport (Reuters Health) – Elderly patients hospitalized for cancer surgery are more likely to have complications afterward compared to the middle-aged, particularly when they have several other health problems, a U.S. study suggests. Overall, almost one in 10 adults age 55 and older had at least one post-operative issue like delirium, dehydration, falls, fractures, pressure ulcers or unusual weight loss, the study of nearly 1 million cancer surgery patients found. “With the population aging, it’s becoming increasingly important to consider not only the survival benefits of cancer surgery but the impact on functionality, vitality and quality of life,” said lead study author Dr. Hung-Jui Tan, a researcher in urologic oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles.