Improved outcome of patients with colorectal cancer: the Ljubljana University Medical Centre experience

Background/Aims: Analysis of outcome in patients undergoing resection for colorectal carcinoma. Methods: Between 1/1/1991 and 31/12/2000, 1,478 patients with a colon and rectal carcinoma underwent a potentially curative resection. The results were analyzed for two groups of patients given different treatment regimens during two consecutive 5-year periods. The 5-year survival rate was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Over a period of 10 years, 1,478 patients were treated by resection. The 5-year survival rate for R0 resected patients with stage I and stage III colon cancer in the period 1996-2000 was significantly higher than for patients operated on between 1991 and 1995 (stage I: 86 vs. 70%; stage III: 58 vs. 40%). Similarly, the 5-year survival rate for R0 resected patients with stage III rectal cancer between 1996 and 2000 was significantly better than that for patients operated on during the early period ( 58 vs. 31%). Conclusions: Patients who underwent R0 resection for colorectal cancer during the period 1995-2000 showed a significantly improved 5-year survival rate compared to those operated on between 1991 and 1995. Improved survival in these patients is to a great extent attributable to improvements in clinical practice combining surgery and adjuvant therapy. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.