Prognostic indicators for stage II (Dukes' stage B) adenocarcinoma of the colon

To determine the prognostic indicators that are associated with lower disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in stage II colon cancer patients, the tumor registry records were reviewed for all patients diagnosed with stage II and III adenocarcinoma of the colon at Charleston Area Medical Center from 1986 to 1994. The prognostic indicators of 174 stage II patients who had not undergone treatment were assessed for DFS and OS. The results demonstrated that the 5-year OS was reduced for those patients with the following prognostic indicators: male, obstruction at time of presentation, need for blood transfusion, and those who had < 7 LNR (lymph nodes removed). In addition, DFS and OS curves for stage II patients with < 7 LNR were not significantly different from survival curves for stage III patients. Treatment decisions are made based primarily on stage, and stage II patients are not routinely offered adjuvant therapy. Placing patients on a randomized clinical trial, until a standardized treatment is agreed upon, is one alternative. If patients are ineligible for, or refuse a clinical trial, then patients with poor prognostic indicators should be considered for adjuvant treatment.