Two and five year survival for colorectal cancer after resection with curative intent: A retrospective cohort study

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of illness, disability and death in the United Kingdom. The stage of disease at diagnosis has a major impact on survival rates. The aim of this study is to assess whether the survival rates of patients receiving curative treatment in our centre are comparable with national results published by Cancer Research UK, National Bowel Cancer Audit Annual Report 2016, and NCIN Colorectal Cancer Survival by Stage Data Briefing.

The study involved a retrospective survival analysis of consecutive patients who underwent colorectal cancer resections with curative intent performed by two surgeons between January 2009 and March 2012. Patients were identified from a prospectively collected database. Data was collected via hospital computer systems including patient notes, laboratory, pathology, and radiology systems. Exclusion criteria included all patients with advanced disease who underwent surgery with palliative intent.

A total of 281 patients were included. The median age at operation was 71. Overall 2-year survival was 82.6% and overall 5-year survival was 69%. 2-year and 5-year survival, respectively, for Dukes A was 93.7% and 92%, Dukes B was 85.6% and 76.7%, Dukes C1 was 81.1% and 57.8%, Dukes C2 was 56.3% and 25%, and Dukes D was 61.9% and 47.6%.

Our data demonstrates that our survival rates compare favourably with current published national survival rates. Dukes C2 patients had the poorest five year survival, highlighting the significance of a positive apical node. Dukes D patients had a particularly good outcome which indicates good patient selection by the multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT) and high quality oncology and tertiary surgical support.