An analysis is presented of 2313 histologically proven cases of carcinoma of the colon and rectum at Charity Hospital from January 1, 1948 through December 31, 1970. For the 2010 cases diagnosed prior to January 1, 1968, so that 5-year followup was possible, survival curves based upon several parameters were determined. Dukes' classification, histologic confirmation of lymph node involvement, and the surgeon's classification of the operation as curative or palliative were the factors that had the greatest influence on survival. The 5-year survival rate for the entire series was 24%. This figure is increased to 47% for those undergoing a curative procedure. The lesion is more common in females than males, and Caucasians than Negroes. In this large series there is a negligible difference in survival between the male and female populations or between the Negro and Caucasian populations.
Cancer 34:951-959, 1974. ELATIVELY FEW OF THOSE INTERESTED IN THE R importance of colon cancer as a cause of morbidity and mortality have had the opportunity to study this problem in a situation with as many unique characteristics as presented by this patient series. T h e unique features include a large patient population, a single geographic origin, a relatively similar socioeconomic background, diagnosis and treatment in a single educational training institution, and a good mixture of Negro and Caucasian patients. T h e experience at Charity Hospital of Louisiana at New Orleans thus provides an excellent resource to aid in studying the effect of race and other determinants on survival in a large and unique patient p o p ulation.