Clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of multiple primary colorectal carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of multiple primary colorectal carcinomas (MPCC).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 37 patients with MPCC from 1974 to 1998 was carried out.

Results: The incidence of MPCC was 2.74%(37/1 348) in patients with primary colorectal carcinomas, 15 cases of them were patients with synchronous carcinomas (SC) and 22 cases were diagnosed as metachronous carcinomas (MC). Most tumors were located in the right colon and rectum. Fifty-five percent (12/22) of MC were diagnosed within 3 years after tumor resection and 41%(9/22) of MC occurred after 8 years. Radical resections were performed in all patients except for 1 case. The 5-year survival rate of SC was 72.7%(8/11) and that of MC after the first cancer and second cancer was 71.4%(15/21) and 38.9%(7/18), respectively.

Conclusion: The results indicate the importance of complete preoperative examination, careful intraoperative exploration and periodic postoperative surveillance. Early diagnosis and radical resection can increase survival rate of MPCC.