Improved Survival Rates for Screen-Detected Colorectal Cancer: Key Study Findings

TOPLINE:

Patients with stages I-III screen-detected colorectal cancer (CRC) have better disease-free survival rates than those with non-screen-detected CRC. This difference is not affected by patient, tumor, or treatment characteristics.

METHODOLOGY:

A study examined the impact of screening on recurrence rates in patients aged 55-75 with CRC from the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

• Researchers identified screen-detected CRC in patients who had a colonoscopy after a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
• Non-screen-detected CRC was diagnosed in symptomatic patients.

FINDINGS:

• The study analyzed 3,725 patients with CRC, comprising 39.6% women.
• Of these, 1,652 (44.3%) had screen-detected CRC, and 2,073 (55.7%) had non-screen-detected CRC.
• Cancer was distributed evenly across stages I-III (35.3%, 27.1%, and 37.6%, respectively).
• Screen-detected CRC showed higher 3-year disease-free survival rates (87.8% vs. 77.2%; P < 0.001).
• Stage III cases particularly benefited, with disease-free survival rates of 77.9% for screen-detected versus 66.7% for non-screen-detected CRC (P < 0.001).
• Screen-detected CRC was more often found at earlier stages (stage I or II: 72.4% vs. 54.4%; P < 0.001).
• Overall, screening led to a 33% lower risk of recurrence (P < 0.001).
• Recurrence was the strongest predictor of overall survival (hazard ratio, 15.90; P < 0.001).

IN PRACTICE:

The authors suggest that screening methods can help assess individual risks for recurrence and survival, aiding in personalized treatment approaches.

SOURCE:

The study, led by Sanne J.K.F. Pluimers from Erasmus University Medical Center, was published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

DISCLOSURES:

There was no funding for this study. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.