Emergency resection is an independent risk factor for decreased long-term overall survival in colorectal cancer: a matched-pair analysis

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasms worldwide. Up to 30% of the patients present in an emergency setting despite an established screening program. Emergency colorectal resection is associated with increased mortality and morbidity as well as worse oncological outcome. This study aims to analyze the impact on tumor recurrence and survival in patients with an emergency colorectal resection, independent of sex, age, and tumor stage. METHODS: Patients, who underwent an oncological resection for colorectal cancer at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, between January 2003 and December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively and screened for emergency resections. Matched pairs were formed to analyze the impact of emergency operations on long-term outcomes, considering tumor stage, sex, and age, comparing it with elective patients. RESULTS: In total, 4.5% out of 1297 patients underwent surgery in an emergency setting. These patients had higher UICC (Union internationale contre le cancer) stages than elective patients. After matching the patients for age, sex, and tumor stage, emergency patients still had higher mortality. The incidence of recurrence was higher (47.5% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.003) and the 5-year overall survival decreased (35.6% vs. 64.4%, p < 0.001) compared to the matched patients with elective resection. Correcting for 90-day mortality still a reduction in the 5-year overall survival was demonstrated (44% vs. 70%, p = 0,001). The left-sided colon tumors were more common in the emergency group (45.8% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.006) and the rectal tumors in the elective one (21.2% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing emergency resection for colorectal cancer have a decreased tumor-specific and overall survival compared to patients after elective resection, independent of age, sex, and tumor stage, even after correcting for 90-day mortality. These findings confirm the importance of colorectal cancer awareness and screening to reduce emergency resections.