title: Prognostic variables for cancer-related survival in node-negative colorectal carcinomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The efficacy of adjuvant treatment in node-negative colorectal carcinoma is unproven. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of routinely detectable clinicopathological variables in order to identify subgroups of node-negative colorectal cancer patients at a high risk of a recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three patients who did not receive radio- or chemotherapy were selected among 112 node-negative colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative resection. Follow-up was a minimum of 5 years or until death. The influence of 17 demographic, clinical, and pathological variables on the 5-year cancer-related survival was assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The compliance with follow-up was 99%. The 5-year survival rate was 81%. Univariate analysis showed that T4 lesions (p < 0.001), age >70 years (p = 0.008), lymphatic invasion (p = 0.001), and neural invasion (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with a decreased survival. T4 stage (hazard ratio 12.75, p < 0.001) and age >70 (hazard ratio 3.08, p = 0.04) significantly affected the cancer-related survival on multivariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Node-negative colorectal cancer patients with T4 carcinoma or those aged over 70 years have a higher risk of recurrences after resection. They should receive adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment compatible with their performance status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Brescia Medical School, Brescia, Italy. difasurg@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Fabio
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nascimbeni
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Villanacci
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baronchelli
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabbretti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salerni
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis