PURPOSE: We evaluate the prognostic value of primary tumor location for oncologic outcomes in patients with colon cancer (CC). METHODS: CC patients treated with curative surgery between 2009 and 2012 were classified into 2 groups: right-sided colon cancer (RCC) and left-sided colon cancer (LCC). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined based on tumor stage. Propensity scores were created using eight variables (age, sex, T stage, N stage, histologic grade, presence of lymphovascular invasion/perineural invasion, and microsatellite instability status). RESULTS: Overall, 2,329 patients were identified. The 5-year RFSs for RCC and LCC patients were 89.7% and 88.4% (P = 0.328), respectively, and their 5-year OSs were 90.9% and 93.4% (P = 0.062). Multivariate survival analyses were carried out by using the Cox regression proportional hazard model. In the unadjusted analysis, a marginal increase in overall mortality was seen in RCC patients (hazard ratio [HR], 1.297; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.987–1.704, P = 0.062); however, after multivariable adjustment, similar OSs were observed in those patients (HR, 1.219; 95% CI, 0.91–1.633; P = 0.183). After propensity-score matching with a total of 1,560 patients, no significant difference was identified (P = 0.183). A slightly worse OS was seen for stage III RCC patients (HR, 1.561; 95% CI, 0.967–2.522; P = 0.068) than for stage III LCC patients. The 5-year OSs for patients with stage III RCC and stage III LCC were 85.5% and 90.5%, respectively (P = 0.133). CONCLUSION: Although the results are inconclusive, tumor location tended to be associated with OS in CC patients with lymph node metastasis, but it was not related to oncologic outcome.
Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Microsatellite Instability ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Propensity Score ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding the prognostic value of tumor sidedness in colon cancer. We investigated the oncologic impact of tumor location and examined whether recurrence patterns were related to tumor sidedness in colon cancer patients. METHODS: We identified stage I–III colon adenocarcinoma patients from a prospective colorectal cancer registry at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, who underwent complete mesocolic excision between 2005 and 2012. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for predictors of cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cumulative recurrence at specific anatomic sites were examined using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1,912 patients, 1,077 (56.3%) with left-sided colon cancer (LCC), and 835 (43.7%) with right-sided colon cancer (RCC), at a median follow-up of 59 months, were eligible and included in the study. In univariate analysis, similar 5-year CSS and RFS were observed for LCC and RCC in the total patient population, and when stratified by stage for stage I and II patients. For stage III patients, an adjusted Cox regression analysis indicated that RCC patients had a higher risk of cancer-specific mortality (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.07–2.86; P = 0.024) and recurrence (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.22–2.60; P = 0.003). Furthermore, RCC was an independent predictor of peritoneal recurrence (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.05–3.29; P = 0.031) in stage III patients. CONCLUSION: RCC correlated with worse CSS and RFS than LCC. In stage III patients, RCC correlated with increased risk of peritoneal recurrence. The reasons for these differences remain to be investigated.
Adenocarcinoma ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Seoul ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer is one of the main causes of mortality. Early adenomatous colon polyp is a precursor of colon cancer through the ‘adenomacarcinoma sequence.’ Epidemiological studies suggest that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio can be one of useful inflammatory markers in clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and development of early adenomatous colon polyps.METHODS: This cross-sectional study retrospectively examined 960 middle-aged and elderly individuals aged ≥45 years who underwent colonoscopy in a health examination program. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and development of early adenomatous colon polyps.RESULTS: Among the 960 subjects, the prevalence of early adenomatous polyps was 20.7% (n=199). The mean age, body mass index, number of current smokers, white blood cell count, triglyceride level, and number of subjects receiving hypolipidemic drugs were higher in the group with early adenomatous polyps than in the multivariate analysis, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the development of early adenomatous polyps was 1.23 (1.01–1.50) with neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio increment after adjusting the confounding variables (P=0.037).CONCLUSION: We found that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was associated with the development of early adenomatous colon polyps among middle-aged and elderly individuals. Accordingly, this result suggests that regular monitoring of early adenomatous colon polyps may be useful among individuals with a higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio.
Adenomatous Polyps ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonoscopy ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Logistic Models ; Lymphocytes ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neutrophils ; Odds Ratio ; Polyps ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: Whether subtotal or total colectomy with primary anastomosis (PA) is safer than Hartmann procedure (HP) for left-sided colon cancer obstruction or perforation remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative morbidity, mortality, and defecation frequency between PA and HP for left-sided colon cancer obstruction or perforation.METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 54 patients from January 2014 to February 2018 who underwent emergency surgery due to left-sided colon cancer obstruction or perforation.RESULTS: PA was carried out in 20 patients while HP was performed for 34 patients. Thirty-day mortality did not show significant difference between the two groups (15.0% vs. 14.7%, P=1.000). No anastomotic leakage occurred in PA group while three (8.8%) cases of stump leakage occurred in HP group. Stoma repair was performed for 13 cases (44.8%) and stoma reformation was performed for one case in HP group (7.7%). Stoma related complications occurred in five cases (17.24%). For patients after stoma repair, defecation frequency at 3 months after operation was 2.91±2.88 times per day in PA group and 2.86±2.63 times per day in HP group. At 1 year after operation, defecation frequency was changed to 1.40±1.12 times per day in PA group and 1.17±0.39 times per day in HP group.CONCLUSION: Primary ileosigmoid or ileorectal anastomosis for left-sided colon cancer obstruction or perforation is safe, and shows similar outcome of defecation frequency compared to HP.
Anastomotic Leak ; Colectomy ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Defecation ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Desmoid tumors are locally aggressive tumors with no known potential for metastasis. They tend to recur even after complete excision. Sometimes it is not easy to differentiate between intra-abdominal desmoid and tumor recurrence, especially after gastrointestinal (GI) tumor resection. The current study aims to review the characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with intra-abdominal desmoid tumor post GI resection.METHODS: During the period between 2007 and 2018, after a retrospective review of patients' clinical data, 10 patients were finally included. Medical records were screened for demographic, clinical, pathological data, management strategy, postoperative morbidity, mortality, recurrence rate and follow-up.RESULTS: The study comprised 10 patients (8 males). The median age was 53.5 years (range, 35–68 years). Two patients diagnosed as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). All the patients underwent previous GI resection: three (30%) for colon cancer, three (30%) gastrectomy, two (20%) total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (TPC+IPAA) for FAP, one (10%) low anterior resection (three rectal cancers) and one (10%) distal pancreatectomy. The tumor was found to be in bowel mesentery in eight cases (80%). The median tumor size was 5.3 cm (range, 2.6–19.0 cm). Six patients (60%) underwent open resection, while four patients (40%) underwent laparoscopic surgery. Complications occurred in five cases (50%) and ranged from Clavien-Dindo (II-III). The median follow-up period was 16.5 months (1.5–136.0 months) with recurrence in one case (10%). Pathology came out to be desmoid tumor fibromatosis in all cases.CONCLUSION: When a mass develops after surgical resection for abdominal GI malignancy and tends to be large in size, located in the bowel mesentery and away from previous primary tumor site, most probably it is desmoid rather than tumor recurrence.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Fibroma ; Fibromatosis, Aggressive ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Medical Records ; Mesentery ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatectomy ; Pathology ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

This study aimed to analyze changes in the causes of death in the Korean population in 2016 and to provide some insights regarding how to cope with related issues of public health and welfare. The causes of death made available by Statistics Korea were classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision as well as the KCD-7 (Korean Standard Classification of Diseases and Causes of Death), which has been modified to fit circumstances in Korea. The total number of deaths was 280,827, which was an increase of 4,932 (1.8%) from 2015. The crude death rate was 549.4 per 100,000 population, which was an increase of 7.9 (1.5%) from 2015. The 10 leading causes of death, in order, were malignant neoplasms, heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, intentional self-harm, diabetes mellitus, chronic lower respiratory diseases, liver diseases, hypertensive diseases, and transport accidents. The rank of hypertensive diseases rose from 10th in 2015 to 9th in 2016, while that of transfer accidents dropped from 9th in 2015 to 10th in 2016. The proportion of the number of deaths caused by cancer was 27.8%. The death rate due to cancer was 153.0 per 100,000 population, which was an increase of 1.4% from 2015; 16.5 deaths per 100,000 population were due to colon cancer, and 16.2 were due to stomach cancer. The above trends in causes of death reflect aspects of the population structure, disease patterns, lifestyle, and medical care in present-day Korean society.
Cause of Death ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Classification ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Heart Neoplasms ; Hypertension ; International Classification of Diseases ; Korea ; Life Style ; Liver Diseases ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Public Health ; Republic of Korea ; Stomach Neoplasms

Objective: To understand the distribution of cancer deaths in China in 2015 and provide reference for the prevention and control of cancer. Methods: Based on the results of Global Burden of Disease 2015, the cancer death distributions in different age groups, sex groups, provinces or by different malignant tumor in Chinese were described. Results: The age-standardized mortality rate of cancer was 159.01/100 000 in China in 2015. The mortality rate was highest in age group ≥70 years (1 102.73/100 000), and lowest in age group 5-14 years (5.40/100 000). The mortality rate in males was 2.15 times higher than that in females. The first 5 provinces with high cancer mortality rate were Anhui, Qinghai, Sichuan, Guangxi and Henan. Lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer ranked 1-5 in term of mortality rate. Conclusion: The cancer mortality differed with age, gender, area and different malignant tumors, suggesting the necessity to develop targeted prevention and control strategies.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Colonic Neoplasms/mortality* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality* ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/mortality* ; Lung Neoplasms/mortality* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality/ethnology* ; Neoplasms/mortality* ; Residence Characteristics ; Sex Distribution ; Stomach Neoplasms/mortality* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopy can detect precancerous lesions, which can subsequently be removed and reduce incidences of and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC). However, recently published data have highlighted a significant rate of CRC in patients who previously underwent colonoscopy. Among many reasons, incomplete resection has been considered as a significant contributor. However, to date, there have only been a few studies regarding incompletely resected polyps, especially advanced colorectal adenoma (ACA). Hence, we aimed to evaluate the prognosis of incompletely resected ACA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with ACA who had underwent endoscopic treatment with incomplete resection. The primary outcomes were (1) the incomplete resection rate of ACA, as determined by a histopathologic examination and (2) the recurrence rate of incompletely resected ACA. We also investigated the probable contributing factors that may have led to a relapse of incompletely resected ACA. RESULTS: A total of 7,105 patients had their colorectal polyps resected by endoscopic treatment, and 2,233 of these were considered as ACA. Of these, 354 polyps (15.8%) were resected incompletely, and only 163 patients were followed-up. Of those followed-up, 31 patients (19.0%) experienced local recurrence. The risk factors for recurrence after incomplete resection were evaluated; age, morphology of adenoma, and use of rescue therapy, such as argon plasma coagulation, were found to be associated with adenoma recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Incompletely resected ACA in older patients or in patients with sessile-type adenomas should be monitored strictly, and if incomplete resection is suspected, rescue therapy must be considered.
Adenoma* ; Argon Plasma Coagulation ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Polyps ; Prognosis ; Recurrence* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors*

Acute colonic obstruction secondary to left-colonic malignancy remains a common emergency condition. Traditional management is emergency surgery and has high morbidity and mortality. Self expandable metallic stents (SEMS) promised to improve morbidity and mortality, stoma rates and hospital stay. SEMS use in the potentially curative setting, as a bridge to surgery, is associated with an improved stoma rate and morbidity, but has no mortality benefit. There are concerns about oncological safety with higher local recurrence rates, thus SEMS is not recommended in this setting unless the patient has increased surgical risk and would benefit from a period of recovery prior to surgery. SEMS has a definite role in the palliative setting, for both patients with incurable disease or those with a high surgical risk. SEMS is associated with improved morbidity, mortality, and stoma rates. The technique for SEMS insertion is now well established but it is still unclear whether covered or uncovered stents are better.
Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Recurrence ; Self Expandable Metallic Stents ; Stents*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) on the prognosis of patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer (LACRC).

METHODSClinicopathological data of 684 patients with stage II(-III( CRC undergoing radical resection at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. NLR was calculated from neutrophil and lymphocyte counts on routine blood tests prior to surgery. The optimal cutoff value of NLR for predicting 5-year overall survival (OS) was determined through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. According to the cut-off value, patients were divided into high NLR and low NLR groups. Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were compared between two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazards model to evaluate the impact of clinical factors on prognosis.

RESULTSA total of 396 male and 288 female patients were included in the study, with a median age of 62 years(range 21-92).Among these patients, 335 had rectal cancers and 349 had colonic cancers; 328 were TNM stage II( and 356 were stage III(. The end of follow-up was January 2016. ROC curve showed that the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 3.0, then patients were divided into low NLR group (NLR≤3.0, n=481) and high NLR group (NLR>3.0, n=203). Compared with low NLR group, the high NLR group was more likely to be older (median 64 vs. 61, t=-2.412, P=0.016), presented higher ratio of colonic cancer [66.0%(134/203) vs. 44.7%(215/481), χ=25.945, P=0.000] and stage III( tumor [60.1%(122/203) vs. 48.6%(234/481), χ=7.499, P=0.007], but lower ratio of first-degree relative cancer history [8.9%(18/203) vs. 15.6%(75/481); χ=5.496, P=0.020]. However, no significant differences were observed between two groups in gender, smoking and drinking history, tumor differentiation grade, vessel invasion and nerve invasion (all P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 67 months (range 3-92), and the 5-year OS rates of high NLR and low NLR group were 59.6% and 73.2% respectively, with significant difference (P=0.001). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that age >65 years (HR=2.07, 95%CI=1.59-2.70, P=0.000), no first-degree relative cancer history (HR=2.01, 95%CI=1.23-3.28, P=0.005), poor differentiation grade (HR=1.65, 95%CI=1.26-2.15, P=0.000), positive vessel or nerve invasion (HR=1.92, 95%CI=1.35-2.71, P=0.000), high TNM stage(HR=2.10, 95%CI=1.59-2.77, P=0.000) and preoperative NLR>3.0(HR=1.51, 95%CI=1.14-2.00, P=0.004) were independent risk factors of prognosis for patients with LACRC.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative NLR can influence the prognosis of patients with LACRC receiving radical surgery. High NLR is associated with poor prognosis.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers ; blood ; China ; Colonic Neoplasms ; blood ; mortality ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neutrophils ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; ROC Curve ; Rectal Neoplasms ; blood ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate