Comparison of post-surgery follow-up methods in patients aged 80 years or older with non-metastatic colorectal cancer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Studies investigating the appropriate post-surgery follow-up method for elderly patients with colorectal cancer are limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare survival rates between two follow-up methods in patients aged 80 years or older who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer.METHODS: Between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2010, 165 patients aged 80 years or older underwent curative resection for non-metastatic colorectal cancer at the Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. Sixty-six of these patients were excluded due to the lack of follow-up, while the remaining 99 were included in our study. These 99 patients were divided into the following two groups depending on their post-surgery follow-up method. Patients who underwent follow-up on a regular basis, which was defined as once every six months to one year, with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and computed tomography (CT) comprised the Regular group, and those who received follow-up with CEA alone or underwent CT procedures once every two years or more comprised the Minimal group. Overall survival was analyzed with the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.RESULTS: Of the 99 patients, 62 were in Regular group and 37 were in Minimal group. There was no difference in overall survival rate between the two post-surgery follow-up methods (regular group vs. minimal group: 51.6% vs. 50.9% [5-year overall survival rate], P=0.819). Additionally, no significant differences was detected between the groups following multivariate analysis (harzard ratio=0.907; 95% confidence interval=0.460–1.788, P=0.777).CONCLUSION: A significant survival gain was not observed between Regular and Minimal group. To draw a more definite conclusion, a multi-center randomized research study should be conducted.