The prognosis of the disease is not the same according to the location of the tumor.
Colon tumors can develop in any of the four segments of this large intestine, 1.5-meter long. But, an American study published in the journal Jama oncology on October 27, 2016, tells us that the right colon cancers have a worse prognosis than those appearing on the left side. The difference, in terms of mortality, is nearly 20%. And it is confirmed whatever the stage of the disease.
Genetic differences
The researchers did not identify all the reasons that could explain such a difference. But they found that genetic mutations are not the same, right and left. In addition, internal bleeding associated with cancer, and the resulting anemia, are more frequent when the cancer is located right.
To reach this conclusion, a team of Italian researchers reviewed 66 studies on colon cancer, covering more than 1.4 million patients, followed for 65 months.
In their conclusion, these researchers invite to modulate the intensity of the treatment according to the location of the tumor.