Relationship of symptom duration and survival in patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum

Diseases of the Colon & RectumPublished 1 August 1985

Moti Khubchandani

DOI10.1007/bf02554151

Source URL

Citations29

SJR quartileQ2

SJR score0.90

SNIP1.18

TL;DR

Entirely different methods of diagnosis need to be developed so as to be able to diagnose carcinoma of the large intestine during its presymptomatic phase.

Abstract

The generally held belief that early diagnosis and treatment are associated with a greater proportion of localized tumors and better prospects of salvage is not supported in carcinoma of the large intestine. This study is not to be interpreted to mean that purposefully delayed treatment in an individual patient will improve his chances of survival. Its purpose is to place the emphasis on early diagnosis in its proper perspective. Entirely different methods of diagnosis need to be developed so as to be able to diagnose carcinoma of the large intestine during its presymptomatic phase.

Keywords

Medicine

New England Journal of MedicineCarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum

567 Citations1962Claude E. Welch, John F. Burke

The importance of this type of neoplastic disease is shown by the estimate that in the United States, in 1961, there will be 70,000 new cases of cancer of the colon.

The American Journal of SurgeryPrognostic factors in carcinoma of the colon and rectum

225 Citations1968Edward M. Copeland, Leonard D. Miller +1 more

The clinical and pathologic findings in 1,084 patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum have been analyzed and a plea is made for widespread application of Turnbull's no-touch isolation technic, and for partial application of it in abdominoperineal resection.

The LancetDELAY IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC COLORECTAL CANCER

188 Citations1979Holly Holliday, J D Hardcastle

Patients with colonic carcinoma were admitted for emergency treatment, 76% having already consulted their doctor about symptoms on one or more occasions, and hospital delay consisted mainly in waiting for investigations, poor quality barium enemas, and inadequate sigmoidoscopy.

British journal of surgeryPrognosis in relation to symptom duration in colon cancer

74 Citations1981Francis T. McDermott, E. S. R. Hughes +3 more

The results show that colon cancer patients in whom the diagnosis is made and operation performed after a short symptomatic period do not have less advanced tumours nor better survival prospects.

PubMedDuration of symptoms and prognosis of carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

60 Citations1977Irvin Tt, Greaney Mg

It appears that the prognosis of carcinoma of the colon and rectum is largely determined by the biologic behavior of the primary tumor rather than by the length of the symptomatic illness, and it seems that the earlier diagnosis of symptomatic patients may result in comparatively small gains in the survival rate.

The LancetSYMPTOMS OF CARCINOMA OF THE COLON AND RECTUM

58 Citations1968N C Keddie, A W Hargreaves

Among 254 patients with carcinomas of the colon and rectum, the classic symptoms were uncommon, and the duration of symptoms was not related to prognosis, and pain associated with rectal carcinoma did not necessarily indicate advanced disease.

The American Journal of SurgeryAdenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum

7 Citations1970Alan B. Gazzaniga, Andrew M. Munster +1 more

Two hundred eighty-seven patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum were treated at the Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, between 1952 and 1966, it is apparent that earlier diagnosis continues to give the best hope for the patient.