Comparison of the prognostic value of tumour- and patient-related factors in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colon cancer

Aim To comprehensively compare the prognostic value of tumour- and patient-related factors in patients undergoing curative surgery for colon cancer. Method From a database of 287 patients who underwent elective resection between 1997 and 2005, tumour factors including stage and host factors including systemic inflammatory response [modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS)] were identified. Results Median follow-up was 65 months. Over this period, 125 patients died, 80 from cancer. On multivariate analysis of all significant patient and tumour related factors, Dukes stage (P < 0.01), vascular invasion (P < 0.01) and the mGPS (P < 0.01) were independently associated with cancer-survival. Of the patient-related factors, age (P < 0.01), haemoglobin (P < 0.01), white-cell (P < 0.01), neutrophil (P < 0.01) and platelet (P < 0.01) counts, and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.01) were most significantly associated with the mGPS. Conclusion In addition to tumour-related factors such as Dukes stage and vascular invasion, the preoperative mGPS should be included to guide prognosis in patients undergoing curative resection for colon cancer.