Tumor stage and postoperative survival in invasive colon cancer

Most of the prognostic factors of invasive colon cancer are controversial, and tumor stage is accepted worldwide in relation to survival. In this study, relationships between the 5-year survival rate and prevailing tumor stages were investigated, and pathological factors relating to nodal involvement which is an important determinant of staging were analyzed. The pTNM system, Borrmann classification and the Japanese microscopic stage were significantly related to the survival rates, as well as the presence or absence of nodal involvement. Accuracy of intraoperative diagnosis of nodal involvement was poor; 11.7% of patients with macroscopic negative-nodes and 36% of those with positive-nodes were microscopically found to be false. Complete resection of primary tumor with adequate nodal-dissection can contribute to better survival of colon cancer patients.