Characteristics and natural history of patients with colorectal cancer complicated by infectious endocarditis. Case control study of 25 patients

Abstract

Association between streptococcal endocarditis and gastrointestinal disease has been well-documented in the literature. However oncological impact of this complicated presentation has not yet been reported. We have conducted to our knowledgethe first case-control study on this subject.

Patients and methods: Two groups of five patients with colorectal cancer and either active endocarditis (CRC E+), or without endocarditis (CRC, n=20) were matched 1:4 for age, sex, and location of colorectal tumor.

Results: All 25 patients were male, with a median age of 63 (range: 53-85) years. Twenty (80%) had colon cancer and 5 (20%) rectal cancer. There was no post-operative mortality in this population. The overall morbidity was 28% (n=7). The overall 3-year survival and recurrence rates were similar in both groups 80% and 95%; 0% and 30% for group CRC E+ and CRC (p=0.4603).

Conclusion: This is the first case-control study demonstrating that during the first two years of follow-up, occurrence of endocarditis did not alter the prognosis of patients with CRC.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Streptococcus gallolyticus; endocarditis.