Factors affecting survival after excision of the rectum for cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify and categorize the independent prognostic effects of patient, clinical, operative, and pathology variables on long-term survival after anterior resection or abdominoperineal excision of the rectum for cancer. METHODS: Proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze prospective data from 709 patients who underwent surgery at Concord Hospital during a 23-year period. No patient received adjuvant therapy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for age and clinicopathologic stage, significantly poorer survival was experienced by males, patients with extensive tumor adherent to other organ(s), those with a high-grade tumor or a tumor showing venous invasion, those who had a postoperative cardiovascular or respiratory complication, and those who did not undergo surgery by a colorectal surgeon specialist. The nature of the operation performed had no independent effect on survival.