Objective: To analyze the survival rate of colorectal cancer, using data from the population-based cancer registry during 2005-2010 in Zhejiang.
Methods: The last follow-up activities on 17 235 cases regarding the survival status was December 31, 2012. Both cumulative observed survival rate (OS) and relative survival rate (RS) were calculated with SURV 3.01 software drawn up by Hakulinen.
Results: The OS on 1, 3 and 5 year were 76.71%, 58.14%, 50.58% and the RS on 1, 3 and 5 year were 78.93% , 63.48% , 58.73% , respectively. The 1, 3 and 5 year relative survival rates on males vs. females were 79.36% vs. 78.35% , 63.63% vs. 63.29%, and 58.85% vs. 58.57%, respectively and the difference between them was not statistically significant (χ(2) = 1.08, P = 0.298). The 5 year OS and RS of the urban population were 55.06% and 64.09% and the 5 year OS and RS of the rural population were 47.59% and 55.16%, with statistically significant differences (χ(2) = 85.84, P < 0.001). The 55-64 age group appeared higher relative survival rate. There were significant differences in the survival rates among different age groups (χ(2) = 333.42, P < 0.001). The 5 year RS of colon vs. rectum were 61.47% vs. 56.45% . Colon patients showed better relative survival rate (χ(2) = 7.26, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The wide variations in colorectal cancer survival rates were seen between the urban and rural populations. Public health resources should be focused on rural areas. Patients younger than 55 years should be under specific attention to further understand the related factors which influencing the prognosis of the diseases.