Colon and rectal carcinoma: clinical experience

A 10 year clinical review of 220 patients treated for colorectal carcinoma is reported. Weight loss, abdominal pain and rectal bleeding were the leading signs and symptoms, occurring in 48.6%, 45.5%, and 42.7%, respectively. Patients treated in this series had more advanced disease, with a resectability for cure of only 37.7%. However, the overall five-year survival of 29.3% compared favorably with several other institutional reports. Earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment remain the major factors influencing ultimate survival.