Late relapse and mortality in stage I large bowel cancer.
The outcome was determined for patients with Stage I cancers of the large bowel (colon, rectum, and anus) who were treated from 1982-1989. In 119 consecutive patients, the 5-year survival was approximately 70% (72% by the absolute direct method; 67% by the actuarial life table method). Although the overall 5-year survival was similar to numerous other published reports, it was disturbing to observe that 41% of the living patients had relapsed. Furthermore, although 88/119 (67%) were alive at last report, 2-7 years after treatment, only 23 (19%) were believed to be free of cancer. We conclude that follow-up for more than 5 years and the assessment of disease-free survival are required to evaluate the outcome from Stage I large bowel cancer.
Hill
G J
GJ
Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Ghosh
B C
BC
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States