Background and aims: Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Finland. The purpose of the current study was to analyse the results of surgical treatment of right-sided colon cancers operated in the 1980s at Turku University Central Hospital. In addition, we compared the results to those reported from earlier decades.
Material and methods: One hundred and fifty-three patients with primary proximal colon cancer were operated in 1981-1990. The results were analysed retrospectively from patient records.
Results: The crude five-year survival rate of the patients was 48%. The most crucial factor affecting survival was the stage of spreading of the tumour. Obstructive tumours had a poorer prognosis than non-obstructive ones.
Conclusions: The results of surgical treatment of proximal colon cancer were satisfactory at Turku University Central Hospital and slightly better compared to earlier reports.