Open AccessTreatment and Survival of Patients with Colon Cancer Aged 80 Years and Older: A EURECCA International Comparison
Author(s) -
Vermeer Nina C.A.,
Claassen Yvette H.M.,
Derks Marloes G.M.,
Iversen Lene H.,
van Eycken Elizabeth,
Guren Marianne G.,
Mroczkowski Pawel,
Martling Anna,
Johansson Robert,
Vandendael Tamara,
Wibe Arne,
Moller Bjorn,
Lippert Hans,
Portielje Johanneke E.A.,
Liefers Gerrit Jan,
Peeters Koen C.M.J.,
van de Velde Cornelis J.H.,
Bastiaannet Esther
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0551
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , confidence interval , cancer , relative survival , cancer registry , relative risk , medical prescription , cohort , clinical trial , stage (stratigraphy) , surgery , paleontology , biology , pharmacology
Abstract Background Colon cancer in older patients represents a major public health issue. As older patients are hardly included in clinical trials, the optimal treatment of these patients remains unclear. The present international EURECCA comparison explores possible associations between treatment and survival outcomes in elderly colon cancer patients. Subjects, Materials, and Methods National data from Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden were obtained, as well as a multicenter surgery cohort from Germany. Patients aged 80 years and older, diagnosed with colon cancer between 2001 and 2010, were included. The study interval was divided into two periods: 2001–2006 and 2007–2010. The proportion of surgical treatment and chemotherapy within a country and its relation to relative survival were calculated for each time frame. Results Overall, 50,761 patients were included. At least 94% of patients with stage II and III colon cancer underwent surgical removal of the tumor. For stage II–IV, the proportion of chemotherapy after surgery was highest in Belgium and lowest in The Netherlands and Norway. For stage III, it varied from 24.8% in Belgium and 3.9% in Norway. For stage III, a better adjusted relative survival between 2007 and 2010 was observed in Sweden (adjusted relative excess risk [RER] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54–0.76) and Norway (adjusted RER 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69–0.96) compared with Belgium. Conclusion There is substantial variation in the rate of treatment and survival between countries for patients with colon cancer aged 80 years or older. Despite higher prescription of adjuvant chemotherapy, poorer survival outcomes were observed in Belgium. No clear linear pattern between the proportion of chemotherapy and better adjusted relative survival was observed. Implications for Practice With the increasing growth of the older population, clinicians will be treating an increasing number of older patients diagnosed with colon cancer. No clear linear pattern between adjuvant chemotherapy and better adjusted relative survival was observed. Future studies should also include data on surgical quality.