A multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in colorectal cancer / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is the aim of this study to find out the prognostic factors in Korean colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: The analysis was performed on 406 patients diagnosed as colorectal cancer between Jan. 1990 and Dec. 1992. Survival rate was calculated by the life table method. Multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model was performed to determine the independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: Overall 5 year survival rates were 58.1% and 58.0% for colon and rectal cancer, respectively. By multivariate analysis, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM stage group was the prognostic factor with the highest hazard ratio. Histologic grade and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level also were significant prognostic factors. However, age at diagnosis, sex, location of the primary tumor, primary tumor size, and microscopic lymphatic invasion did not have independent prognostic value. CONCLUSION: Our study has confirmed that the AJCC TNM stage represents the most important prognostic variable, but further improvements are needed with the introduction of other variables, such as the histologic grade and serum CEA level.