[Special aspects of right colon cancer]

Abstract

752 patients with colon carcinoma of the years 1966-1985 were studied retrospectively. 189 tumors were located in the right and 563 in the left colon. There was no difference in the 5-year survival rate, Dukes classification and operative mortality in both groups. Considering the higher median of tumor diameter, the three months longer diagnostic delay and the twice higher rate of undifferentiated carcinomas the prognosis of the right sided tumors is relatively better. In our opinion the cause of this more efficient local tumor defence is the better blood and lymph supply of the right colon and mucosal mechanisms. Expression of this better tumor defence is the distinct tumor colitis in the right colon. Improvement of the right colon carcinoma prognosis is to be expected of earlier tumor diagnosis. Routine endoscopic evaluation of hemoccult positive subjects is most helpful.