[Recognition of predictive prognostic factors in recurrent colonic cancer. Apropos of a retrospective series of 178 cases].

Prognostic factors influencing the outcome of colon cancer were studied retrospectively in 178 patients who underwent curative resection between 1975 and 1985. Monovariate and multivariate analysis have been performed. Median follow-up was 8.7 years. Three factors increased the risk of recurrences: age when equal or greater than 70, poorly differentiated tumor and advanced Duke's stage. Two factors increased the risk of intra-abdominal recurrence: age when equal or greater than 70 and advanced Duke's stage. Two factors increased the risk of metastasis (including the liver): poorly differentiated tumor and advanced Duke's stage. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk of recurrences was correlated to Duke's stage, age and histological differentiation. Patterns of failure and prognostic factors reported in the literature are reviewed and implications of these prognostic factors on adjuvant treatment indications are discussed.