Survival of 727 patients with single carcinomas of the large bowel

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Abstract
The outcome of 727 patients presenting with solitary colorectal carcinoma over a 7-yr period is reviewed. Of the patients, 52% were females, 45% were over 70 yr and 31% had an emergency admission. Of the tumors, 43% occurred in the rectum and 40% were stage D (not treated curatively). Predisposing causes included inflammatory bowel disease (n = 12) and abdominal irradiation (n = 6); associated adenomatous polyps were present in 22% of resection specimens. Hospital mortality rates (20% overall) were adversely affected by emergency admission (36%), age > 70 yr (29%) and advanced, stage D disease (31%). Corrected overall 5-yr survived rate was 32% and, after curative resection, 59%. Of patients in whom curative resection included contiguous organs, 47% survived 5 yr. Survival was reduced in patients > 70 yr (26%), in emergency admissons (24%), in poorly differentiated tumors (18%), and if tumor fixity was present (14%). Factors contributing to a favorable outlook included a long history (> 1 yr) and a tumor situated in the left colon. Recurrence developed in 47% of patients surviving curative resection and was seldom diagnosed at a curable stage.