Progress in colorectal cancer survival in Europe, from the late 1980s to the early 21st century: The EUROCARE study
A partir des données des registres des cancers de 16 pays européens, cette étude évalue l’évolution de la survie des patients atteints de cancer colorectal, entre 1988 et 2002
Abstract Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer cause of death in Europe, accounting for more than 200,000 deaths per year. Prognosis strongly depends on stage at diagnosis, the disease can be cured in most cases if diagnosed at an early stage. We aimed to assess trends and recent developments in 5-year relative survival in European countries, with a special focus on age and stage at diagnosis and anatomical cancer subsite. Data from 25 population-based cancer registries from 16 European countries collected in the context of the EUROCARE-4 project were analyzed. Using period analysis, age adjusted and age specific 5-year relative survival was calculated by country, European region, stage and cancer subsite for time periods from 1988-1990 to 2000-2002. Survival substantially increased over time in all European regions. In general, increases were more pronounced in younger than in older patients, for earlier than for more advanced cancer stages, and for rectum than for colon cancer. Substantial variation of colorectal cancer survival between European countries and between age groups persisted and even tentatively increased over time. There is a huge potential for reducing the burden of colorectal cancer in Europe by more widespread and equal delivery of existing options of effective early detection and curative treatment to the European population.