The efficacy of chemotherapy in the patients with stage II colon cancer associated with number of high-risk factors

Abstract

Treatment of colon cancer consists of surgical resection and chemotherapy. Stage II colon cancer is categorized into a high-risk group and low-risk group for recurrence, and chemotherapy is recommended for the high-risk group [1]. High-risk factors are perineural invasion, lymphovascular emboli, lymph node harvest less than 12, T4 stage, positive resection margin, obstruction, and perforation [2-4]. There is no doubt over treatment with chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer patients having high-risk factors. However, chemotherapy could cause side effects that makes patients’ compliance lower. Physicians face this dilemma, especially with patients who are old or have severe comorbidities. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy for patients with stage II colon cancer according to the number of high-risk factors.