Survival analysis of colorectal cancer patients in a Thai hospital-based cancer registry

Background: The study aimed to assess the overall and stage-specific colorectal cancer (CRC) survival and to identify the prognostic factors for survival among Thai patients. Research design and methods: The retrospective data of CRC patients from a university hospital-based cancer registry from 2001 to 2014 were used to estimate five-year overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to assess the differences in five-year OS by age at diagnosis, diagnostic period, tumor site, stage at diagnosis and treatment modalities. A multivariate Cox's proportional hazard model was used to identify independent prognostic factors for the OS. Results: A total of 1,507 (48%) colon and 1,648 (52%) rectal cancer patients were included. Five-year OS for CRC patients was 44%. It differed significantly by stage, age group, and treatment received. Stage at diagnosis, age group, diagnostic period, receiving surgical and chemotherapy treatments were prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions: An increasing trend in the number of CRC patients mostly at stage III and IV was found. Our results emphasized that an improvement in CRC survival could be achieved through the adoption of advanced cancer therapies, as well as improved access to quality diagnosis and timely treatment.