Time trends in the treatment and survival of recurrences from colorectal cancer

Background: Little is known about the management of recurrences from colorectal cancer at a population level. Materials and methods: Data was obtained from the population-based cancer registry of Cote d'Or (Burgundy, France) over a 28-year period. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyse trends in treatment and survival for local recurrence and distant metastases. Results: The proportion of patients resected for cure increased from 6.7% (1976 - 1984) to 23.7% (1994-2003; P < 0.001) for distant metastases and from 15.9% to 58.1%, (P < 0.001) for local recurrence. Age and period of diagnosis were independent factors associated with a resection for cure. Rectal cancer local recurrence was less often resected for cure than colon cancer local recurrence (P = 0.05). Long-term survival was observed only after resection for cure: 5-year relative survival rates were 36.1% for local recurrence and 24.0% for distant metastases. In the multivariate analysis, survival decreased with age and increased over time but significantly only over the last study period. Surgical resection and palliative chemotherapy were other determinants of prognosis for distant metastases whereas surgical resection and palliative radiotherapy did influence the prognosis for local recurrence. Conclusion: Substantial advances in the management of recurrences have been achieved over time. More effective treatments and mass screening represent promising approaches to decrease this problem.