Survival following curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in the middle-aged population: data from a South Asian cohort

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM : Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth commonest cancer in Sri Lanka. Disease burden and survival among the middleaged population (50–70 years) with CRC is less studied. With the aging global population, this cohort has a high economic and a social impact. This study aims to analyse the survival pattern and contributing factors in a middle-aged patient cohort with CRC. METHODS: CRC patients managed with a curative intent between 1997 and 2020 at a specialised tertiary care unit were analysed. Demographic data, tumour characteristics and survival of the patients aged between 50 and 70 years was analyzed. Overall survival was compared with the younger (\50 years) and older ([70 years) populations with CRC using Kaplan–Meire curves. Individual variable analysis was performed to sought for significant association of survival with age, sex, tumour stage and tumour site. Multifactorial analysis was performed using Cox-proportional hazard model. RESULTS: A total of 411 patients between 50 and 70 years age group with CRC were analysed (mean 60.07 years; range—50–70 years, male—47.45%). Overall survival of the middle-aged population was significantly better (mean— 133 months, SE 6.84) compared to the elderly population (mean—58 month, SE = 7.74) but worse compare to the younger population (mean—167 month, SE = 10.81). Majority of the tumours (60.5%) in the middle-aged group were locally advanced on presentation ([T3). Tumor site and age at presentation were significant factors that influence survival in this age group. CONCLUSION: Middle-aged patients have a better mean overall survival than their older counterparts but fare worse compared to the younger age group. Tumor stage and age were the only factor that significantly influenced survival