The early mortality from colorectal tumours 1969 - 1972

Abstract

In order to compare the mortality from colorectal tumours in Malta with that in other centres, the survival of patients with large bowel tumours from the cases recorded in the Tumour Registry between the years 1969 to 1972 was studied. It was only possible to follow up the patients till July 1973. The deaths occurring up to this period will be discussed in relation to the time in which they occurred and to their causes. It is immediately apparent that our patients are at an advanced stage of malignancy at the time of operation. Aggressive surgery in these groups of individuals is not only futile but also contributes to an earlier demise. This is only too obvious when two thirds of the deaths recorded in the survey occurred within six months of surgical treatment. The crux of the whole problem appears to be the delay between the commencement of symptoms and the surgical treatment. On this account the patients themselves may be partly to blame, minor symptoms are often ignored and not brought up for medical advice.