Comparison of predictors of survival in colon and rectal cancer patients.

Abstract

e14681 Background: We studied comorbidity and other predictors of survival for patients (pts) with colorectal cancer (CRC) and compared pts with colon (C) vs rectal (R) cancer (ca). Methods: In an IRB-approved protocol, we reviewed the records of pts diagnosed with CRC at a VA medical center from 01/01/2003 to 12/31/2011 for demographics, stage, grade, ECOG performance status (PS), CEA, Hemoglobin (HGB), and Albumin (ALB) at diagnosis (dx). Comorbidity was assessed with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the Cumulative Illness Rating Scales (CIRS), and the Kaplan-Feinstein Index (KFI). Statistical analyses were performed with SAS 9.2/Stata 11.0. We compared the pts with C vs R ca. Results: There were 279 men. 191 pts (68.5%) had C ca and 88 pts (31.5%) had R Ca. The two groups were similar for stage, grade, age, HGB, CEA, ALB, and ECOG PS. For R ca pts, Median (M) CCI is 3.7 (0.4-13.9), M CIRS15 2.5 (0-5), M CIRS16 5 (0-13), M CIRS 17 2.0 (0-8), M CIRS18 0 (0-1), M CIRS19 0 (0-1), and M KFI 1 (0-3). For C ca pts, M CCI is 4.3 (0.9-19.6), M CIRS15 3.0 (0-6), M CIRS16 6.0 (0-13), M CIRS17 2.0 (0-9), M CIRS18 0 (0-1), M CIRS19 0 (0-2), and M KFI 2 (0-3). In univariate analysis, stage, ECOG PS, HGB, and ALB were significant survival predictors in R ca pts. Age, stage, grade, ECOG PS, HGB, CCI, CIRS16, CIRS17, CIRS19 and KFI were significant for C ca pts. Other significant multivariate predictors are summarized in the table. R ca pts are more likely to die (P=0.003, HR=0.51). Conclusions: In this larger population of pts with CRC, we confirmed our previous findings (ASCO 2012 e14125). Grade, stage, ECOG PS, and CIRS 19 are important independent survival predictors for veterans with CRC. Age, grade, stage, ECOG PS, CCI, CIRS 16 and CIRS 19 are independent predictors for colon ca pts. Only Stage and ECOG PS are independent predictors for rectal ca pts. Rectal ca pts are at increased risk of dying. More research is needed to confirm this. Supported by New Jersey Commission for Cancer Research. [Table: see text]