The Impact of Primary Tumor Location in Synchronous Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Differences in Metastatic Sites and Survival

Purpose We explored differences in survival between primary tumor locations, hereby focusing on the role of metastatic sites in synchronous metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods Data for patients diagnosed with synchronous mCRC between 1989 and 2014 were retrieved from the Netherlands Cancer registry. Relative survival and relative excess risks (RER) were analyzed by primary tumor location (right colon (RCC), left colon (LCC), and rectum). Metastatic sites were reported per primary tumor location. Survival was analyzed for metastatic sites combined and for single metastatic sites. Results In total, 36,297 patients were included in this study. Metastatic sites differed significantly between primary tumor locations, with liver-only metastases in 43%, 54%, and 52% of RCC, LCC, and rectal cancer patients respectively (p < 0.001). Peritoneal metastases were most prevalent in RCC patients (33%), and lung metastases were most prevalent in rectal cancer patients (28%). Regardless of the location of metastases, patients with RCC had a worse survival compared with LCC (RER 0.81, 95% CI 0.78-0.83) and rectal cancer (RER 0.73, 95% CI 0.71-0.76). The survival disadvantage for RCC remained present, even in cases with metastasectomy for liver-only disease (LCC: RER 0.66, 95% CI 0.57-0.76; rectal cancer: RER 0.84, 95% CI 0.66-1.06). Conclusions This study showed significant differences in relative survival between primary tumor locations in synchronous mCRC, which can only be partially explained by distinct metastatic sites. Our findings support the concept that RCC, LCC and rectal cancer should be considered distinct entities in synchronous mCRC.