Clinicopathological and Molecular Features of Patients with Early and Late Recurrence after Curative Surgery for Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND

Few reports have investigated genetic alterations between patients with early and late recurrence following curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

A total of 1227 stage I-III CRC patients who underwent curative resection were included retrospectively. Among them, 236 patients had tumor recurrence: 139 had early (<2 years after surgery) and 97 had late (≥2 years after surgery) recurrence. Clinicopathological features and genetic alterations were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared to those with late recurrence, patients with early recurrence were more likely to have advanced pathological node (N) categories; tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stages; adjuvant chemotherapy treatment; liver metastases; mutations; and worse five-year overall survival rates. Patients with right-sided colon cancer were more likely to develop early recurrence than were those with left-sided colon cancer or rectal cancer. Regarding rectal cancer, patients with early recurrence were more likely to be at advanced pathological N categories and TNM stages than those with late recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed old age, early recurrence, multiple-site recurrence, and and mutations to be independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

CRC patients with early recurrence have a worse OS rate and more mutations than those with late recurrence.