Froehner M, et al. - In elderly patients designated for radical cystectomy, researchers examined factors that could predict perioperative and long-term competing (non-bladder cancer) mortality. A total of 1,184 consecutive patients who had radical cystectomy for high risk superficial or muscle-invasive urothelial or undifferentiated carcinoma of bladder were divided into two groups (age < 80 years vs 80 years or older). In patients aged 80 years or older, only age predicted 90-day mortality, while in younger patients Charlson score and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, but not age, independently predicted 90-day mortality. Neither age nor Charlson score or ASA classification were predicted long-term competing mortality in patients aged 80 years or older, unlike their younger counterparts.