Management of colorectal cancer in three South Thames District Health Authorities

This study describes the management of colorectal cancer, diagnosed in 1988, of residents in three South Thames Districts. Of the 328 cases identified as having being diagnosed in 1988, case notes were retrieved on 263 (80%) including 62 registered by death certificate only. There were 159 cases (61%) of colon cancer and 104 cases (39%) of rectal cancer. Of these, 172 cases (68%) were admitted electively and 90 (32%) as emergencies. Patients subsequently diagnosed with colon cancer had a relative risk of being admitted through emergency (relative to rectal cancer patients) of 1.39 (95% C.I.: 1.16, 1.67). Elective admissions varied significantly by district of residence (P < 0.0001) ranging from 36-65% for colon cancers and from 63-92% for rectal cancers across the three districts. Dukes' stage was recorded in only 143 (54%) sets of case notes, with significant variation by district of residence in the proportion of elective patients for whom a Dukes' stage was indicated (P < 0.01). Two-hundred and thirty-six (90%) cases received treatment. Of the treated cases, 233 patients received surgery with 29 cases of colon cancer (18%) and 32 cases of rectal cancer (31%) receiving adjuvant therapy. The proportions of anterior resection, AP resection and colostomies given, varied by district. Patients presenting for elective surgery were more likely to be treated by a consultant than patients presenting on emergency: the relative risks were 2.58 (95% C.I.: 1.74, 3.82) for colon cancer patients and 4.93 (95% C.I.: 2.20, 11.06) for rectal cancer patients. In 44 (26%) colon cancer cases and 21 (22%) rectal cancer cases it was explicitly stated that the tumour had not been fully resected. For colon tumours the five year relative survival rates were 35% (95% C.I.: 21%, 50%), 52% (95% C.I.: 34%, 70%), and 14% (95% C.I.: -2%, 30%) in districts A, B and C respectively. The corresponding figures for rectal tumours were 45% (95% C.I.: 27%, 64%), 62% (95% C.I.: 41%, 83%) and 24% (95% C.I.: -1%, 50%). There were wide variations in the representation, management of and survival from colorectal cancers across the three districts. Differences were significant at the level of district of residence, mode of presentation and surgical grade. More assiduous recording of Dukes' stage is imperative if consensus is to be achieved on effective management. Further work is also warranted on district differences in diagnostic and referral protocols.