The efficacy of chemotherapy in the patients with stage II colon cancer associated with number of high-risk factors

Abstract

Purpose This study assessed the effect of chemotherapy over stage II colon cancer in terms of presence of high-risk factors. Methods Data were retrospectively reviewed for 364 patients with stage II colon cancer who underwent curative surgery between January 2007 and December 2012. High-risk factors of stage II colon cancer were examined, and the overall survival (OS) rates were analyzed. Survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy was also analyzed. Results One hundred and fifteen cases had exclusively single high-risk factor and 194 cases were negative for high-risk factors. Postoperative chemotherapy was performed in 262 of 364 patients (72.0%). The 5-year OS was 79.4% and 86.6% for patients without adjuvant chemotherapy and those with chemotherapy, respectively. The 5-year OS was 88.2% and 83.3% for patients having exclusively single high-risk factor with adjuvant chemotherapy and those without chemotherapy, respectively. Conclusion Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage II colon cancer having exclusively single high-risk factor could be omitted, weighing up the survival benefit and side effect of chemotherapy.

Keywords

• colorectal neoplasms
• drug therapy
• survival analysis