The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between overall survival and lymph node ratio (the number of positive lymph nodes divided by total number of lymph nodes) (LNR) as well as other standard prognostic factors in patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer.

Methods:

A retrospective study was performed to analyse the data collected for 72 patients who underwent surgery with the diagnosis of colorectal cancer from January 2003 to March 2010. The variables such as T, N and M stage, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, number of retrived lymph nodes, number of metastatic lymph nodes, lymph node capsule invasion, LNR and their effects on overall survival were analysed.

Results:

LNR, lymph node stage, number of metastatic lymph nodes, TNM stage, perineural invasion and lymph node capsule invasion had significant effects on overall survival.

Conclusion:

LNR and lymph node stage were the most significant variables associated with overall survival. (JAREM 2013; 3: 14-8)

Keywords:

Colorectal cancer, lymph node ratio, survival, prognosis