The Definition of Cure in Colon Cancer

When does the recurrence risk of colon cancer become negligible after surgery and adjuvant therapy, allowing for a practical definition of cure?In this pooled analysis of 35 213 patients from 15 phase 3 randomized clinical trials, the incidence of colon cancer–related relapse declined continuously and fell below 0.5% by year 6 after surgery. Deaths and second primary cancers, when included as events, inflated recurrence estimates.A recurrence risk below 0.5% at 6 years provides a clinically meaningful definition of cure, which may improve patient counseling and optimize long-term follow-up strategies.

Corresponding Author: Alessandro Pastorino, MD, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Medical Oncology Unit 1, Largo Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy (alessandro.pastorino@hsanmartino.it).

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