In a nutshell
This study investigated the effect of chemotherapy on the survival of patients with stage 2 and 3 mucinous colorectal cancer (mucCRC). Researchers suggested that chemotherapy improved the survival of these patients.
Some background
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US in 2019. Up to 20% of colon cancer is mucCRC. The standard treatment is surgery and chemotherapy. Even though mucCRC is associated with a more advanced disease the standard treatment is the same as for initial stages of cancer. Prior studies suggested either no change in survival after surgery and chemotherapy or a significant improvement. The effect of chemotherapy after surgery in a patient with mucCRC remains unclear.
Methods & findings
This study included information about 14300 with stage 2 mucCRC and 16741 with stage 3 mucCRC. These patients received surgery followed by chemotherapy. Overall survival (time from treatment to death by any cause) was assessed. The outcomes of these patients were compared to those of patients with non-mucinous CRC (non-mucCRC).
No significant difference in survival was found between stage 2 mucCRC and non-mucCRC treated with chemotherapy. However, patients with stage 3 mucCRC treated with chemotherapy had a 5% improvement in the odds of a better survival.
Among patients with mucCRC, chemotherapy was associated with better survival. Stage 2 patients had a 21% improvement in the odds of better survival compared to those who did not have chemotherapy. Patients with stage 3 mucCRC who had chemotherapy had a 44% improvement compared to those who did not have chemotherapy.
The bottom line
This study concluded that surgery followed by chemotherapy in mucCRC, is associated with improved survival in patients with stages 2 and 3.
The fine print
This study was based on medical records. Some information might have been incomplete. This might affect the results.
Published By :
Surgical oncology
Date :
Sep 19, 2019
