FTP2.11 Delay to elective colorectal cancer surgery

Abstract

Abstract Aim To determine whether a delay to elective surgery of 12 weeks or more results in upstaging of colorectal cancer Method We looked retrospectively at all patients who had undergone elective colorectal cancer surgery over a 3-year period, from January 2020 - December 2022. We identified those patients who had delayed surgery. We defined delayed elective colorectal surgery as 12 weeks or more from the date of diagnosis. Patients who underwent endoscopic excision or those delayed due to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were excluded from our study. TNM stage recorded by CT or MRI scan at the time of diagnosis and just before the delayed surgery were compared to determine if upstaging of the cancer had occurred. Result 406 patients underwent elective colon or rectal cancer resections from January 2020 to December 2022. After excluding those who had neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, the number of patients who had their surgery delayed by 12 weeks or more was 13. The median time delay was 16 weeks (12-30). All 13 patients had a staging scan at time of diagnosis, however only 7 out of the 13 had a re-staging scan prior to their delayed surgery. The pre-operative stages ranged from T0-T3, N0-N2, one patient had a single liver metastasis that resulted in a combined hemicolectomy and hepatectomy. None of the patients who were re-staged had a worse TNM stage. Conclusion In our cohort of patients, although a small total number, delaying elective cancer surgery by 12 weeks or more did not cause upstaging of their cancer.