Clinical multivariate regression analysis of local recurrence following curative surgery for rectal cancer

Abstract

To investigate the clinicopathologic factors related to local recurrence following curative surgery for rectal cancer and explore the ways to improve the efficacies. A total of 257 post-operative cases of rectal cancers from January 1995 to December 2002 were recruited. And the relation of each clinicopathologic characteristic and local post-operative recurrence was retrospectively investigated. The clinicopathologic factors and follow-up data were analyzed by uni and multi-factorial regression model by logistic regression. The total local recurrence rate of rectal cancer after radical operation was 18.7%, 75.0% (36/48) within 2 years and 95.8% (45/48) within 3 years, the median time was 14.6 months (range: 2-63). Univariate analysis showed that age, Dukes' stage, lymph node metastasis and level of CEA were significantly associated with the local post-operative recurrence (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age and lymph node metastasis were closely related with the local post-operative recurrence (P<0.05). Lymph node metastasis and age are very important prognostic factors for the local post-operative recurrence. It is possible to improve the prognosis of rectum cancer by making an early diagnosis and offering a scientific standard therapy.