OBJECTIVE: To analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of the surgical treatment for colorectal cancer at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) in Mexico City. BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent malignant tumor of the digestive tract in Mexico. Its incidence is rising, and its identification in early stages is important to offer a curative surgical treatment. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive observational trial. We studied 165 patients who underwent colorectal surgery for treatment of cancer between 1985 and 1994 at the INCMNSZ. We compared the variables of patients and the surgical procedures and their relationship with morbidity and mortality with 5-year survival. RESULTS: Survival was greater in curative-attempting procedures of the colon than of the rectum (p < 0.05). Survival rate was also greater in earlier stages of the disease at the moment of diagnosis. Surgical morbidity occurred in 30% due to wound infections in most cases. Mortality rate was 3.6%, while the main cause was sepsis. Patients > 65 years of age had a higher mortality rate. Rectal surgery had higher morbidity than colonic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Detecting patients at earlier stages of the disease is required to offer them a curative-attempting surgery procedure. Stage at moment of diagnosis correlates with survival rates. Age was a risk factor for surgical mortality, and rectal surgery, a risk factor for morbidity.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of the surgical treatment for colorectal cancer at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) in Mexico City. BACKGROUND:Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent malignant tumor of the digestive tract in Mexico. Its incidence is rising, and its identification in early stages is important to offer a curative surgical treatment. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive observational trial. We studied 165 patients who underwent colorectal surgery for treatment of cancer between 1985 and 1994 at the INCMNSZ. We compared the variables of patients and the surgical procedures and their relationship with morbidity and mortality with 5-year survival. RESULTS: Survival was greater in curative-attempting procedures of the colon than of the rectum (p < 0.05). Survival rate was also greater in earlier stages of the disease at the moment of diagnosis. Surgical morbidity occurred in 30% due to wound infections in most cases. Mortality rate was 3.6%, while the main cause was sepsis. Patients > 65 years of age had a higher mortality rate. Rectal surgery had higher morbidity than colonic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Detecting patients at earlier stages of the disease is required to offer them a curative-attempting surgery procedure. Stage at moment of diagnosis correlates with survival rates. Age was a risk factor for surgical mortality, and rectal surgery, a risk factor for morbidity.