[Positive/total dissected lymph nodes ratio as a prognostic factor in colon cancer].

Background: To evaluate the prognostic value of the ratio between positive and total dissected lymph nodes in patients with colon cancer who underwent primary tumor surgical resection.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of consecutive patients with colon cancer treated at hospitals affiliated to the ABC Foundation School of Medicine, Santo André. Demographic data were collected as well as information on colon cancer, treatment and clinical outcomes.

Results: One hundred and six patients were included. Mean age was 62.82+/-11.6 years and most were men (53.8%). Median number of lymph nodes dissected per patient was 11.5 (3-45 lymph nodes) and 58.5% had more than 10 dissected lymph nodes. The median follow-up was 25.05+/-15.21 months (2-64 months). In univariate analysis for overall survival, lymph node ratio (p=0.044), tumor stage (p=0.001) and tumor recurrence (p=0.058) were considered significant. In multivariate analysis only tumor stage was significantly associated with overall survival (p=0.001).

Conclusion: In this limited retrospective series, the ratio between positive and dissected lymph nodes was not independently associated with overall survival among patients with colon cancer, when considered together with the pathological stage. Larger and prospective studies are warranted to define the impact of such ratio on the overall survival of colon cancer patients.