Curative resection: the major determinant of survival in patients with large bowel cancer

Data collected prospectively from 578 patients with colorectal cancer managed by 12 Manchester surgeons were analysed to evaluate the effects on survival of prognostic, clinical and pathological factors. Available preoperative and perioperative factors were included in a stepwise regression analysis and curative resection was found to be most strongly associated with patient survival. Other variables ranked according to their relative importance were performance status, weight loss and sex. The finding of the study supports the need to establish an early diagnosis if long-term survival results are to improve.