OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer when compared to younger patients. METHODS Patients operated on with colorectal cancer were divided into 2 groups according to age: Group 1 (75 years old or older, n=90) and group 2 (<75 years, n=430). RESULTS Preoperative hemoglobin levels were lower in group 1 (p = 0.008). Poorer clinical status defined by ASA score (p = 0.008) results and blood transfusions (p = 0.003) were more frequent in group 1 when compared to group 2. Group 1 had a significantly higher operative mortality rate than group 2 (p = 0.01). Regarding cancer-related survival after 1, 2, and 4 years, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Poorer clinical conditions with special regard to anemia are more frequent among patients of 75 years and older and this finding may lead to an increase in operative mortality when compared to younger patients. Even though, senior patients with colorectal cancer should not be denied surgical and adjuvant therapy on account of age alone since cancer-related survival remains comparable to younger patients' results.