Dr Mehrkhani and colleagues from Iran determined the factors affecting survival, following resection of large bowel for colorectal carcinoma.

The team identified from the cancer database of a single referral institution, a total of 1090 patients who had undergone colorectal resection between 1999 and 2002.

Cases with recurrent colorectal cancer or previous history of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded.

Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method.

The overall 1-year survival rates were 72%

Colorectal Disease

Univariate analysis of factors thought to influence survival was then made using Logrank test.

Criteria studied consisted of age, sex, tumor node metastases stage, T-status, nodal status, distant metastasis, histological grade, lymphatic and vascular invasion, tumor location, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level and liver function tests.

The research team conducted multivariate analysis using Cox regression analysis.

The researchers found that the mean survival time for all patients was 43 months.

The overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 72%, 54% and 47%, respectively.

In univariate analysis, patients' age, tumor node metastases stage, T-status, nodal status, distant metastasis, grade, lymphatic and vascular invasion.

In addition, presurgery carcinoembryonic antigen level over 5 ng/ml were found to be predictors that could affect survival.

In Cox regression analysis, the team found that age, tumor node metastases stage and grade were determined as independent prognostic factors of survival.

Dr Mehrkhani and colleagues concluded, “Age, tumor node metastases stage, T-status, nodal status, distant metastasis, grade, lymphatic and vascular invasion and presurgery carcinoembryonic antigen level can predict the postsurgical survival rate in patients with colorectal cancer.”