Analyzing non‐cancer causes of death of colorectal carcinoma patients in the US population for the years 2000–2016

Abstract

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment and patient survival improved greatly. Consequently an increased incidence of non‐cancer‐related deaths is observed. This study analyzed the causes of non‐cancer death for people suffering from CRC based on the year of diagnosis, follow‐up time, and patient's age. Methods The data from patients diagnosed with CRC in the years 2000–2016 were taken from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database. Patients were categorized according to: death from CRC, non‐CRC cancer, and non‐cancer. Constituent ratios and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated to describe the death causes distribution and relative death risks. Results Between 2000 and 2016, a stable and rapid drop for the original diagnosis as death cause for CRC patients was observed (70.19% to 49.35%). This was coupled to an increase in non‐cancer‐associated death reasons (23.38% to 40.00%). The most common non‐cancer death cause was heart disease, especially for elderly patients. However, deaths from accidents and adverse effects were frequent in younger CRC patients. Patients died from septicemia more often within the first follow‐up year; however, a 6‐fold increase in death from Alzheimer's disease was found for after at least 180 months follow‐up time. The SMRs of all 25 non‐cancer death causes initially decreased in all CRC subgroups, followed by an increase with follow‐up times. Gradually decreasing SMR values were observed with increasing age of CRC patients. Conclusions These findings could help modify and sharpen preventive measures and clinical management and raise physician's awareness to potential non‐CRC death risk factors for CRC patients.

Gustave Roussy Immune Score for Predicting Postoperative Complications and Non-cancer Death in Elderly Patients With Colon Cancer

“…In general, the relative risk of non-cancer cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer is reported to be higher than that in the age-matched general population [7]. In 2016, the incidence of non-cancer cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer was 40.0% [7]. The incidence of non-cancer cause of death in colorectal cancer patients increases gradually with advancing age, and has been reported as 0.9% in those aged ≤ 49 years, 22.9% in those aged 50-74 years, and 76.0% in those aged ≥ 75 years [7].…”

“…In general, the relative risk of non-cancer cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer is reported to be higher than that in the age-matched general population [7]. In 2016, the incidence of non-cancer cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer was 40.0% [7].…”

“…In 2016, the incidence of non-cancer cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer was 40.0% [7]. The incidence of non-cancer cause of death in colorectal cancer patients increases gradually with advancing age, and has been reported as 0.9% in those aged ≤ 49 years, 22.9% in those aged 50-74 years, and 76.0% in those aged ≥ 75 years [7].…”

“…Furthermore, POCs have been reported to correlate with poor prognosis [5,6]. Another characteristic of the elderly is that they are more likely to experience non-cancer cause of death compared with younger patients [2,7]. Elderly patients with CC are less likely to die from cancer-related causes than from non-cancer causes such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or cerebrovascular disease [7].…”

“…Another characteristic of the elderly is that they are more likely to experience non-cancer cause of death compared with younger patients [2,7]. Elderly patients with CC are less likely to die from cancer-related causes than from non-cancer causes such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or cerebrovascular disease [7]. It remains controversial whether surgery should be performed on elderly patients in poor condition, and if so, what timing is appropriate.…”