A Comparative Study Between the Oncological Results of Right and Left Colic Cancers

Introduction: There are embryonic, anatomical, and histological differences between right colon (RCC) and left colon (LCC) cancers. Many studies have sought to determine survival and prognosis based on the location of the tumor. The present study aims to compare the oncological results between RCC and LCC after curative resection.

Materials and methods: It is about a bi-centric retrospective study. The data collection of patients undergoing curative resection for RCC and LCC was made over a period, from July 2004 to December 2015.

Results: On 353 patients, 156 were operated for RCC or 44% and 197 were operated for LCC or 56%. No significant difference in age or sex or time to surgery. It is noted that LCCs were diagnosed at a later stage. RCCs had more carcinoma type poorly differentiated. The median follow-up is 96 months. The survival curves are practically superimposable over a 36-month follow-up, as well as for survival without recurrence. Beyond and up to 96 months, the recurrence-free survival following a LCC is 94.40 months, higher than the one of the RCC which is 89.04 months. Overall survival is almost identical. LCCs have better survival for stage I cancers (P = 0.01).

Conclusion: On the basis of the current data, LCCs have a better survival result than RCC after curative resection (especially for stage I and SWR). Larger scale studies are needed. Determination of the impact on screening and appropriate specialized treatment related to the localization of 1 colon cancer is necessary.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Localization; Survival