Surgeon case volume and 5 years survival rate for colorectal cancer

Abstract

AIM: Many factors that influence patient outcome in colorectal surgery are not editable, and these are related either the tumor, the patient and the treatment. The surgeon- and hospital-related factors are independent predictors of outcome for colorectal cancer surgery and these are supervision, teaching/training, specialization in colorectal surgery, high caseload, high hospital caseload.

MATERIALS OF STUDY: We evaluated the impact of the experience of 4 surgeons on the 5 years survival rate of patients with colon and rectal cancer and we valued if the surgeons’ experience plays an equal role in both.

RESULTS: Four experienced surgeons operated 384 patients with colorectal cancer. Surgeon with the major experience and colorectal-dedicated presented a slightly better total 5 years survival rate, comparing to other surgeons, although he had a considerably better 5 years survival rate in rectal operations.

CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that surgeon- and hospital-related factors directly influence the surgeon learning curve and are therefore rightly considered predictors of outcome in colorectal cancer surgery. A low surgeon or hospital caseload may be compensated by intensified supervision or by improved training and teaching.