Screening vs. non-screening detected colorectal cancer: Differences in pre-therapeutic work up and treatment

Less Invasive Primary Treatment for Colorectal Cancer After Implementation of National Screening: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The effect of organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening on type of primary treatment remains sparsely investigated. This study evaluated the difference in primary treatment strategy between patients diagnosed with screen-detected (SD-CRC) and non-screen-detected colorectal cancer (NSD-CRC) in a national CRC screening program.

METHODS

This was a retrospective national register-based cohort study. Data on patients aged between 50 and 75 years and diagnosed with SD-CRC or NSD-CRC were retrieved from the national colorectal cancer screening database and the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group database. Outcomes related to surgical invasiveness were compared between the two cohorts. Differences were expressed as relative risks using log-binomial generalized linear regression models. UICC stage IV specific outcomes were analyzed using the same method. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, type of cancer (colonic/rectal), and Charlson comorbidity index.

RESULTS

The study included 4707 patients with SD-CRC and 7328 with NSD-CRC. Therapeutic flexible endoscopy (SD-CRC: n = 636 vs. NSD-CRC: n = 334, RR: 2.50, P < 0.001), (robotic-assisted) laparoscopic resection ((n = 616 vs. n = 773, RR: 1.27, P < 0.001), n = 2759 vs. n = 3471, RR: 1.11, P < 0.001), and radical resection (n = 3890 vs. n = 4834, RR: 1.02, P = 0.002) were significantly more frequent in the SD-CRC group. The rates of emergency priority (n = 32 vs. n = 562, RR: 0.09, P < 0.001), open surgery (n = 391 vs. n = 1410, RR: 0.53, P < 0.001), supplementary organ resection (n = 259 vs. n = 860, RR: 0.56, P < 0.001), and stoma formation (n = 526 vs. n = 1040, RR: 0.89, P = 0.007) were significantly lower in the SD-CRC group. The rate of patients undergoing surgery with UICC stage IV disease was significantly higher in the SD-CRC group (SD-CRC: n = 262, NSD-CRC: n = 994, RR: 1.43, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SD-CRC remained associated with less invasive primary surgical treatment following adjustment for potential healthy user bias. UICC stage IV disease may be less advanced in patients with SD-CRC.

Improved Survival in a Cohort of Patients Aged 75 Years and Older With Fecal Immunochemical Testing-Detected Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Fecal immunochemical testing is an accepted form of colorectal cancer screening and is recommended for adults up to the age of 75 years in Canadian guidelines. However, many individuals 75 years and older continue to receive fecal immunochemical testing despite being outside accepted guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether patients aged 75 years and older with screen-detected cancer demonstrated improved outcomes and survival compared with patients with non-screen-detected cancer.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective population-based cohort study.

SETTINGS

Provincial data were collected from the Alberta Cancer Registry and the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program between November 2013 and 2019.

PATIENTS

We identified an aggregated patient cohort aged 75 years and older with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer from November 2013 to November 2019, as well as patients 75 years and older who underwent fecal immunochemical testing within these dates.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The proportion of screen-detected colorectal cancers was calculated. Surgical intervention, hospital length of stay, postoperative mortality, and overall survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Between November 2013 and 2019, 3586 patients 75 years and older were diagnosed with colorectal cancer; 690 (19%) were "screen-detected." Screen-detected patients were almost 3 times more likely to undergo surgery (OR, 2.83) and had a 36% overall survival benefit (HR, 0.64) compared with non-screen-detected patients, adjusted for other variables such as age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and stage.

LIMITATIONS

The retrospective study design prevents conclusions regarding causation.

CONCLUSIONS

Screen detection of colorectal cancer in patients aged 75 years and older is associated with improved overall survival when controlling for other potential confounders. When compared with their non-screen-detected counterparts, these patients have an earlier stage of disease and are more likely to undergo surgical intervention with improved outcomes, irrespective of age. These data may support screening for appropriately selected patients who would otherwise fall outside of current guidelines. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B986 .

SOBREVIDA MEJORADA EN UNA COHORTE DE PACIENTES DE AOS O MS CON CNCER COLORRECTAL DETECTADOS POR RIF

ANTECEDENTES:La prueba basada en una Reacción Inmunoquímica Fecal - RIF, es una forma aceptada de detección de cáncer colorrectal y esta recomendada en adultos a partir de los 75 años en las guías canadienses. Sin embargo, muchas personas de 75 años o más continúan realizándose pruebas inmunoquímicas fecales a pesar de estar fuera de las guías aceptadas.OBJETIVO:Poder determinar si los pacientes de 75 años o más con detección RIF positiva a un cáncer demuestran mejores resultados y sobrevida comparados con los pacientes sin detección.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo basado en una población definida.CONFIGURACIÓN:Se recopilaron los datos provinciales del Registro de cánceres y del Programa de detección de cáncer colorrectal de Alberta, Canada, entre 2013 y 2019.PACIENTES:Identificamos una cohorte agregada de pacientes de 75 años o más con diagnóstico de cáncer colorrectal desde noviembre de 2013 hasta noviembre de 2019, así como pacientes de 75 años o más que se sometieron a pruebas inmunoquímicas fecales dentro de las fechas mencionadas.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Se calculó la proporción de cánceres colorrectales detectados mediante un cribado. Se analizaron la intervención quirúrgica, la duración de la estadía hospitalaria, la mortalidad post-operatoria y la sobrevida global.RESULTADOS:Entre noviembre de 2013 y noviembre 2019, 3586 pacientes de 75 años o más, fueron diagnosticados con cáncer colorrectal; 690 (19%) fueron detectados por cribado. Los pacientes detectados mediante el cribado, tenían casi tres veces más probabilidades de someterse a una cirugía (Razón de Probabilidad de 2,83) y beneficiaron de una sobrevida general del 36 % (HR 0,64) comparados con los pacientes sin detectación por cribado, corregidos por otras variables como la edad, el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson y el estadío del tumor.LIMITACIONES:El diseño retrospective del presente estudio impide obtener conclusiones con respecto a la causalidad.CONCLUSIONES:La detección por cribado de cáncer colorrectal en pacientes de 75 años o más se asocia con una mejor sobrevida general cuando se controlan los otros posibles factores de confusión. Comparando con las contrapartes no detectadas por cribado, estos pacientes se encuentran en una etapa más temprana de la enfermedad y es más probable que se sometan a una intervención quirúrgica con mejores resultados, independientemente a la edad. Estos datos pueden respaldar la detección de pacientes adecuadamente seleccionados que, de otro modo, quedarían fuera de las pautas actuales. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B986 . (Traducción-Dr. Xavier Delgadillo ).

Initial Impact of National CRC Screening on Incidence and Advanced Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) aims to decrease CRC incidence and mortality. Biennial fecal immunochemical test screening started in the Netherlands in 2014 for individuals 55-75 years of age. This study investigated the effect of screening on stage-specific incidence, with focus on stage III and IV CRC.

METHODS

Inhabitants diagnosed with CRC in 2009-2018 were included. CRC incidence per stage, year, and detection method (ie, screen-detected vs clinically detected) was evaluated. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics, and survival of patients with stage III and IV CRC, were compared according to the detection method.

RESULTS

Included were 140,649 CRCs in 136,882 patients. An initial peak of stage I-III CRC diagnoses after initiation of screening was followed by a continuous decrease within screening-eligible ages. Total CRC incidence remained higher than before screening, although stage II and IV CRC incidence decreased below prescreening levels. Screen-detected CRCs were significantly more frequently located in the left-sided colon (stage III; 43.7% vs 30.9%; stage IV: 45.1% vs 36.1%), and the primary tumor resection rate was higher (stage III colon: 99.8% vs 99.0%, rectum: 97.3% vs 89.7%; stage IV colon: 65.4% vs 56.6%, rectum: 47.3% vs 33.5%). Patients with screen-detected stage IV CRC had significantly more often single-organ metastases (74.5% vs 57.0%; P < .001) and more frequently received treatment with curative intent (colon: 41.3% vs 27.4%; rectum: 33.8% vs 24.6%). Overall survival significantly improved for patients with screen-detected CRCs (stage III: P < .001; stage IV: P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Five years after the start of a nationwide CRC screening program, a decrease in stage II and IV CRC incidence was observed. Patients with screen-detected stage III and stage IV CRC had less extensive disease and improved survival compared with those with clinically detected CRC.

Trends in Treatment of Colorectal Cancer and Short-term Outcomes During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden

IMPORTANCE

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on health care systems, not least the treatment of malignant diseases, including colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the treatment of colorectal cancer and short-term outcomes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with the year before.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This register-based cohort study used information from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry during the years 2020 and 2019. Patients were from the Stockholm-Gotland region, 1 of 6 health care regions in Sweden, with approximately one-fifth of the country's population and 8 hospitals. All patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer from March 1 to August 31, 2019, and March 1 to August 31, 2020, were eligible. Data were analyzed from May to June 2021.

EXPOSURES

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The study aimed to compare the number of patients, time to surgery, operation methods, short-term complications, and residents' involvement in surgical practice between 2019 and 2020. Subanalyses were conducted for colon and rectal cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 1140 patients (583 men [51%]; median [IQR] age, 74 [26-99] years in 2019 and 73 [24-96] years in 2020) were enrolled. Fewer patients received a diagnosis of colorectal cancer in March through August 2020 compared with the same months in 2019 (550 vs 590 patients). Overall, patient characteristics were similar, but pretherapeutic tumor stage was more advanced in 2020 compared with 2019, with an increased proportion of T4 tumors (30% [172 patients] vs 22% [132 patients]; χ23 = 21.1; P < .001). The proportion of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, time to surgery, and 30-day complications were similar, but the proportion of patients treated with ostomy almost doubled between 2019 and 2020, from 17% (53 patients) to 30% (96 patients) (absolute risk, 13.0%; 95% CI, 6.8% to 20.0%). Residents participated in fewer resections in 2020 than in 2019 (35% [108 patients] vs 27% [83 patients]; absolute risk, -7.90%; 95% CI, -15.00% to -0.55%). On the other hand, the treatment and outcomes for rectal cancer were comparable between the years. Significantly more patients were transferred to the nonemergency, COVID-free hospital in the region in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this Swedish register-based cohort study of patients who received a diagnosis of colorectal cancer during the most intense period of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in ostomy formation for patients with colon cancer and a lower participation of residents during surgery were observed. These changes most likely were aimed at reducing complications and intensive care unit care.

A 10-Year Evaluation of Short-Term Outcomes After Synchronous Colorectal Cancer Surgery: a Dutch Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Synchronous colorectal cancer (CRC) has been associated with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality rates compared to solitary CRC. The influence of improved CRC care and introduction of screening on these outcomes remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate time trends in incidence, population characteristics, and short-term outcomes of synchronous CRC patients at the population level over a 10-year time period.

METHODS

Data of all patients that underwent resection for primary CRC were extracted from the Dutch ColoRectal Audit (2010-2019). Analyses were stratified for solitary and synchronous colon and rectal cancer. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with pathological and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 100,474 patients, 3.1% underwent surgery for synchronous CRC. A screening-related decrease for surgically treated left-sided solitary and synchronous colon cancer and a temporary increase for exclusively right-sided colon cancer were observed. Synchronous CRC patients had higher rates of complicated postoperative course, failure to rescue, and mortality. Bilateral synchronous colon cancer was more often treated with subtotal colectomy (25.4%) and demonstrated higher rates of surgical complications, reinterventions, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality than other synchronous tumor locations.

DISCUSSION

National bowel screening resulted in contradictory effects on surgical resections for synchronous CRCs depending on sidedness. Bilateral synchronous colon cancer required more often extended resection resulting in significantly worse outcomes than other synchronous tumor locations. Identification of low volume, high complex CRC subpopulations is relevant for individualized care and has implications for case-mix correction and benchmarking in clinical auditing.

Increasing Incidence of Young-Onset Colorectal Carcinoma A 3-Country Population Analysis

BACKGROUND

The overall incidence of colorectal carcinoma is declining in Western populations; however, single country series demonstrate an increase in young-onset (<50 years) colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pattern of increasing incidence of young-onset colorectal carcinoma is consistent across 3 Western populations.

DESIGN

This is a population incidence study.

SETTINGS

National cancer registries of New Zealand, Sweden, and Scotland were used.

PATIENTS

The incidence of colorectal carcinoma was calculated from population data for 3 countries over 2 to 4 decades.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The incidence of colorectal carcinoma was measured. Incidence rate ratios were determined and data were stratified by subsite (colon versus rectum), sex, and age (<50, 50-79, and ≥80 y).

RESULTS

Overall colorectal carcinoma rates declined in New Zealand, remained stable in Scotland, and increased in Sweden. In all 3 populations, there was an increasing incidence of rectal carcinoma in those aged <50 years. Young-onset rectal carcinoma increased in New Zealand (1995-2012: incidence rate ratio = 1.18 (men) and 1.13 (women)), with declining incidence in all other age groups. Colon carcinoma did not increase in the population aged <50 years, with the exception of distal colonic carcinoma in men. Overall, rectal carcinoma incidence increased (1970-2014) in Sweden; however, increases in those <50 years of age exceeded increases in other age groups (incidence rate ratio = 1.14 (males) and 1.12 (females)). Distal colon carcinoma increases were most marked in the population aged <50 years. In Scotland (1990-2014), young-onset rectal carcinoma incidence increased (incidence rate ratio = 1.23 (males) and 1.27 (females)), with a smaller increase in colon carcinoma.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include its registry-based, population incidence research.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows an increase in young-onset rectal carcinoma in 3 national populations; this observation may provide a focus for looking at the role of environmental influences on the etiology of this increase and therefore to explore strategies for prevention. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B194. AUMENTO DE LA INCIDENCIA DE CARCINOMA COLORRECTAL DE INICIO JOVEN: UN ANÁLISIS DE POBLACIÓN DE TRES PAÍSES: La incidencia global de carcinoma colorrectal está disminuyendo en las poblaciones occidentales. Sin embargo, las series de un solo país demuestran un aumento en el carcinoma colorrectal de inicio joven (pacientes menores de 50 años).Determinar si el patrón de incidencia en aumento de carcinoma colorrectal de inicio joven es consistente en tres poblaciones occidentales.Estudio de incidencias de población en tres países.Registros nacionales de cáncer de Nueva Zelanda, Suecia y Escocia.la incidencia de carcinoma colorrectal se calculó a partir de datos de población de tres países durante dos o a cuatro décadas.Incidencia de carcinoma colorrectal. Se determinaron las tasas de incidencia y los datos se estratificaron por subsitio (colon versus recto), además de sexo y edad (<50, 50-79 y ≥ 80).las tasas generales de carcinoma colorrectal disminuyeron en Nueva Zelanda, se mantuvieron estables en Escocia y aumentaron en Suecia. En las tres poblaciones, hubo una incidencia creciente de carcinoma rectal en pacientes menores de 50 años. El carcinoma rectal de inicio juvenil aumentó en Nueva Zelanda (1995-2012): tasa de incidencia de 1,18 [varones] y 1,13 [mujeres], con una disminución de la incidencia en todos los demás grupos de edad. El carcinoma de colon no aumentó en la población de < 50 años, con la excepción del carcinoma de colon distal en hombres. En general, la incidencia de carcinoma rectal aumentó (1970-2014) en Suecia; sin embargo, los aumentos en aquellos de <50 años excedieron los aumentos en otros grupos de edad: tasa de incidencia 1.14 [hombres] y 1.12 [mujeres]. Los aumentos del carcinoma de colon distal fueron más marcados en la población de < 50 años. En Escocia (1990-2014), la incidencia de carcinoma rectal de inicio juvenil aumentó: relación de tasa de incidencia 1.23 [hombres] y 1.27 [mujeres], con un aumento menor en el carcinoma de colon.Investigación de incidencia poblacional basada en registros nacionales.Este estudio muestra un aumento en el carcinoma rectal de inicio joven en tres poblaciones nacionales. Esta observación puede indicar un enfoque para la examinación de influencias ambientales en la etiología de este aumento y, por lo tanto, explorar estrategias para la prevención. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B194. (Traducción-Dr Adrián Ortega).

Age and Lymph Node Positivity in Patients With Colon and Rectal Cancer in the US Military Health System

BACKGROUND

Young age may be associated with an increased risk of lymph node involvement at diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Accessibility to care, which is related to cancer detection, tumor stage, and therefore lymph node positivity, may vary by age and thus influence research results.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether young patients had an increased risk of lymph node-positive colon and rectal cancers in the Department of Defense Military Health System, which provides universal health care to its beneficiaries.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Patients were identified from the US Department of Defense Automated Central Tumor Registry.

PATIENTS

Included patients were diagnosed with histologically confirmed primary stage I to III colon and rectal adenocarcinomas between 1989 and 2013, had surgery and ≥1 lymph node examined, and did not receive preoperative radiotherapy. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between age at diagnosis (18-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 y) and lymph node positivity overall and stratified by tumor T stage and number of lymph nodes examined.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Lymph node positivity of colon and rectal cancers was measured.

RESULTS

The youngest patients (aged 18-49 y) were more likely to have lymph node-positive colon and rectal cancers compared with those who were aged ≥70 years after adjustment for potential confounders (OR = 2.04 and 95% CI, 1.63-2.56 for colon cancer; OR = 1.73 and 95% CI, 1.11-2.70 for rectal cancer). A similar tendency was shown in most colon and rectal cancer subgroups stratified by tumor T stage and number of lymph nodes examined.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its small sample size for certain subgroup analyses. No information on comorbidities, BMI, or other indicators of health status was available.

CONCLUSIONS

In a universal healthcare system, young age was associated with increased lymph node positivity of colon and rectal cancers, suggesting that factors other than access to care may play a role in this association. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B90. EDAD Y POSITIVIDAD DE GANGLIOS LINFÁTICOS EN PACIENTES CON CÁNCER DEL COLON Y EL RECTO EN EL SISTEMA DE SALUD MILITAR DE EE UU: La edad temprana puede estar asociada con un mayor riesgo de compromiso de los ganglios linfáticos en el momento del diagnóstico de cáncer colorrectal. La accesibilidad a la atención medica, que está relacionada con la detección del cáncer, el estadio del tumor y, por lo tanto, la positividad de los ganglios linfáticos, puede variar según la edad y, por lo tanto, influir en los resultados de la investigación.Investigar si los pacientes jóvenes tenían un mayor riesgo de cáncer del colon y el recto con ganglios linfáticos positivos en el Sistema de Salud Militar del Departamento de Defensa, que brinda atención médica universal a sus beneficiarios.Estudio transversal retrospectivo.Se identificaron pacientes del Registro Automático Central de Tumores del Departamento de Defensa de los Estados Unidos.Fueron diagnosticados con adenocarcinomas del colon y el recto en estadio I-III confirmados histológicamente entre 1989-2013, se les realizó una cirugía y se examinaron ≥ 1 ganglio linfático, y no recibieron radioterapia preoperatoria. La regresión logística se utilizó para examinar las relaciones entre la edad al momento del diagnóstico (18-49, 50-59, 60-69 y ≥70 años) y la positividad de los ganglios linfáticos en general y fue estratificada por el estadio T tumoral y el número de ganglios linfáticos examinados.Positividad de ganglios linfáticos de cáncer del colon y el recto.Los pacientes más jóvenes (18-49 años) tenían más probabilidades de tener cáncer del colon y el recto con ganglios linfáticos positivos en comparación con aquellos que tenían 70 años o más después del ajuste por posibles factores de confusión (odds ratio: 2.04, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 1.63 -2.56 para el cáncer de colon; odds ratio: 1.73, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 1.11-2.70 para el cáncer de recto). Se mostró una tendencia similar en la mayoría de los subgrupos de cáncer del colon y el recto estratificados por el estadio T tumoral y el número de ganglios linfáticos examinados.Tamaño de muestra pequeño para ciertos análisis de subgrupos. No hay información sobre comorbilidades, índice de masa corporal u otros indicadores del estado de salud.En un sistema de salud universal, la edad joven se asoció con un aumento de la positividad de los ganglios linfáticos del cáncer del colon y el recto, lo que sugiere que otros factores además del acceso a la atención medica pueden desempeñar un papel en esta asociación. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B90.

Postoperative Outcomes of Screen-Detected vs Non-Screen-Detected Colorectal Cancer in the Netherlands

Importance

The nationwide fecal immunochemical test-based screening program has influenced surgical care for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Netherlands, although these implications have not been studied in much detail so far.

Objective

To compare surgical outcomes of patients diagnosed as having CRC through the fecal immunochemical test-based screening program (screen detected) and patients with non-screen-detected CRC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a population-based comparative cohort study using the Dutch ColoRectal Audit and analyzed all Dutch hospitals performing CRC resections. Patients who underwent elective resection for CRC between January 2011 to December 2016 were included.

Interventions

Colorectal cancer surgery.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Postoperative nonsurgical complications, postoperative surgical complications, postoperative 30-day or in-hospital mortality, and complicated course (postoperative complication resulting in a hospital stay >14 days and/or a reintervention and/or mortality). A risk-stratified comparison was made for different postoperative outcomes based on screening status (screen detected vs not screen detected), cancer stage (I-IV), and for cancer stage I to III also on age (aged ≤70 years and >70 years) and American Society of Anesthesiologists score (I-II and III-IV). To determine any residual case-mix-corrected differences in outcomes between patients with screen-detected and non-screen-detected cancer, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

In total, 36 242 patients with colon cancer and 17 416 patients with rectal cancer were included for analysis. Compared with patients with non-screen-detected CRC, screen-detected patients were younger (mean [SD] age, 68 [5] vs 70 [11] years), more often men (3777 [60%] vs 13 506 [57%]), and had lower American Society of Anesthesiologists score (American Society of Anesthesiologists score III+: 838 [13%] vs 5529 [23%]). Patients with stage I to III colon cancer who were screen detected had a significantly lower mortality and complicated course rate compared with non-screen-detected patients. For patients with rectal cancer, only a significant difference was found in mortality rate in patients with a cancer stage IV disease, which was higher in the screen-detected group. Compared with non-screen-detected colon cancer, an independent association was found for screen-detected colon cancer on nonsurgical complications (adjusted odds ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73-0.91), surgical complications (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.89), and complicated course (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90). Screen-detected rectal cancer had significantly higher odds on mortality.

Conclusions and Relevance

Postoperative outcomes were significantly better for patients with colon cancer referred through the fecal immunochemical test-based screening program compared with non-screen-detected patients. These differences were not found in patients with rectal cancer. The outcomes of patients with screen-detected colon cancer were still better after an extensive case-mix correction, implying additional underlying factors favoring patients referred for surgery through the screening program.

Introduction of a colorectal cancer screening programme: results from a single-centre study

AIM

In 2014, a national colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme was launched in the Netherlands. It is difficult to assess for the individual patients with CRC whether the oncological benefits of surgery will outweigh the morbidity of the procedure, especially in early lesions. This study compares patient and tumour characteristics between screen-detected and nonscreen-detected patients. Also, we present an overview of treatment options and clinical dilemmas when treating patients with early-stage colorectal disease.

METHOD

Between January 2014 and December 2016, all patients with nonmalignant polyps or CRC who were referred to the Department of Surgery of the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands were included. Baseline characteristics, type of treatment and short-term outcomes of patients with screen-detected and nonscreen-detected colorectal tumours were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 426 patients were included, of whom 240 (56.3%) were identified by screening. Nonscreen-detected patients more often had comorbidity (P = 0.03), the primary tumour was more often located in the rectum (P = 0.001) and there was a higher rate of metastatic disease (P < 0.001). Of 354 surgically treated patients, postoperative adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups (P = 0.38). Of 46 patients with T1 CRC in the endoscopic resection specimen, 23 underwent surgical resection of whom only 30.4% had residual invasive disease at colectomy.

CONCLUSION

Despite differences in comorbidity, stage and surgical outcome of patients with screen-detected tumours compared to nonscreen-detected tumours were not significantly different. Considering its limited oncological benefits as well as the rate of adverse events, surgery for nonmalignant polyps and T1 CRC should be considered carefully.