[Prognostic predictors in colorectal cancer]

The prognostic significance of clinicopathologic factors in colorectal cancer was evaluated in a multivariate analysis. The most important independent factor affecting survival was stage (depth of penetration through the bowel wall and the presence of positive lymph nodes). All other clinicopathologic factors were of less importance than stage in determining prognosis. Although the prognostic relevance of biologic and molecular variables has been investigated extensively, the importance of these factors as prognostic predictors remains uncertain and further studies are needed.