title: Five-year results of surgical colorectal cancer treatment in rural Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of colorectal cancer in Australia is among the highest worldwide. We investigate whether similar treatment results for colorectal cancer can be achieved in rural surgery as reported from metropolitan centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected follow-up data in a rural surgical centre in South Australia has been carried out. Results of all patients undergoing surgical treatment for colorectal cancer are analysed, and all cancer stages and interventions over a 5-year period are included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five-year survival of all patients (n = 194) treated for colorectal cancer independent of stage and cause of death was 56%, cancer-specific 5-year survival was 64%. Perioperative mortality was 1.7%. Overall survival was 96% in stage 1, 92% in stage 2, 58% in stage 3 and 0% for patients with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Cancer-specific survival ranged from 100% in stage 1 to 0% for patients with metastatic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessment of overall and cancer-specific survival of all patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer over a 5-year time period in a rural South Australian centre shows that good long-term results can be achieved with low perioperative mortality. These findings compare well with the results of other groups.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Mount Gambier General Hospital, Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia. matthias.wichmann@health.sa.gov.au
authors: Matthias W
authors: MW
authors: Wichmann
authors: Eben
authors: E
authors: Beukes
authors: Shaukat T
authors: ST
authors: Esufali
authors: Lutz
authors: L
authors: Plaumann
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Maddern
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D016019:Survival Analysis