Retrospective long-term results and prognostic factors of treatment for colorectal cancer

To evaluate retrospectively 5-10 year overall survival rate in patients with colorectal cancer treated with or without adjuvant therapy for early stage and analyze the impact of some prognostic factors on clinical outcome we retrospectively reviewed 56 patients treated with only surgery, postoperative or preoperative 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The following prognostic factors were considered at univariate analyses: age, sex, tumor location, pathological, tumoural and nodal stage, surgical procedure, pathological specimen margins and adjuvant treatment if applied. The 5 and 10 year actuarial rates for overall survival (OS) were 66% and relapse free survival (RFS) rates were 83% and 58% respectively for all patients. Five years survival was 100%, 73% and 44% respectively for stages I, II and III (p< 0.01). Five years survival for N0, NI and NII disease were 81.3%, 75% and 0% respectively (p< 0.01). Better prognosis was observed for colon cancer compared to rectal and rectosigmoid tumors: 5 years survival rates 90%, 70% and 40% respectively (p< 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that nodal disease, location of tumor in a subsite of colon, pathological stage and surgical procedure had an impact on survival. Our retrospective study showed a good 5-10 year overall survival. Factors as individual pN2, tumor location and advanced pathological stage negatively influenced survival rates. In our opinion to achive better results especially in N2 cancer and rectal and rectosigmoid tumors, especially use of appropriate chemoradiation protocols and new high art radiation technology must be considered in clinical studies in advance