Chronological Changes of Colorectal Cancer

Lee, Jeong Ho; Nah, Yang Won; Suh, Byoung Jo; Chang, Surk Hyo; Paik, In Wook; Lee, Hyuck Sang

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate the chronological changes of colorectal cancer in Korea.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 352 cases with colorectal cancer treated in the period from 1988 to 1996 (recent period) was performed and the results were compared with the previously reported study involving 221 cases with colorectal cancer treated in the period from 1975 to 1987 (past period).
RESULTS
The proportion of patients over 60 years in the recent period was 46%, which was significantly higher than that in the past period (30%). Dukes' C patients were 40.6% in the recent period. Although Dukes' D patients were lowered by 6.8%, their proportion wa still 21%. The resection rate was raised by 9.6% to reach 87.8% in the recent period and postoperative morbidity and mortality were decreased. Five-year survival rate was 56.0% in the recen period, it is higher than that of the past period (52%). Five-year survival rate was 100% in Dukes A patients, 83.9% in Dukes' B patients, 53.3% in Dukes' C patients and 8.7% in Dukes' D patient (p=0.000).
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of colorectal cancer in the aged group has been increasing The proportion of Dukes' D patients is decreased. Five-year survival rate of the recent period is higher than that of the past period by 4%.