In a nutshell
This study tested whether early recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with surgery can predict patients’ survival. The authors of the study found that early recurrence after surgery is associated with poorer survival in CRC patients.
Some background
Up to a half of CRC patients can develop a recurrence (return of the cancer) following curative surgery. Curative surgery means removal of all the cancer along with parts of the large intestine, as well as the surrounding lymph nodes. Most cases of recurrence happen within 2 years after surgery. If recurrence appears in less than a year after surgery it is considered an early recurrence. It is generally believed that early recurrences decrease the life expectancy of CRC patients.
Methods & findings
1,159 patients who underwent curative surgery for CRC were included in the study. Some patients received additional chemotherapy or radiotherapy after the surgery according to the stage of their cancer and their overall condition. Patients were followed at 3 month intervals for 2 years, at 6 month intervals for the next 3 years, and then annually.
After a median follow up period of 5 years 24.1% of patients had a recurrence. Of these patients, 34.3% had an early recurrence. Early recurrence was more common in patients with colon cancer than in those with rectal cancer. Also, recurrence was more common in patients with more advanced disease. Patients who experienced early recurrence had significantly lower survival compared to patients whose cancer returned in over a year after surgery. Additional treatment with chemotherapy prolonged the survival of patients in all groups.
The bottom line
In this study, early recurrence after curative surgery was associated with poorer survival in patients with CRC. However, additional treatment with chemotherapy after surgery improved survival for these patients.
The fine print
The weakness of this study is in the fact that it is based on hospital records and some data may be inaccurate.
Published By :
International Journal of Colorectal Disease
Date :
Mar 16, 2013
