The Association Between Anastomotic Leak and 5-Year Oncologic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Resection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
- 1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Background
Anastomotic leak (AL) is a serious complication following colorectal cancer (CRC) resection. Its influence on long-term oncologic outcomes, including recurrence and survival, remains controversial.Methods
This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of AL following CRC resection with anastomosis for stage 1-3 CRC. Clinical, operative, oncologic, and follow-up data were collected. AL was diagnosed within 30 days postoperatively. Primary outcomes included recurrence and mortality.Results
A total of 204 patients were included, of whom 25 (12.3%) developed AL. CRC recurrence occurred in 28.0% of patients with AL compared with 24.6% without AL (p = 0.712). Median time to recurrence was shorter in patients with AL (7 vs. 15 months, p = 0.064). One-year mortality was higher in patients with AL (20.0% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.008), and time to mortality was shorter (7 vs. 35 months, p = 0.048). However, AL was not independently associated with mortality or poor outcome on multivariable analysis.Conclusions
AL following CRC resection was associated with earlier mortality and a trend toward earlier recurrence, although no independent association with long-term oncologic outcomes was demonstrated. A larger prospective study with standardized leak definitions would better clarify the relationships between AL and CRC outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{farsi2026association,
title = {{The Association Between Anastomotic Leak and 5-Year Oncologic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Resection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.}},
author = {Ali Farsi and Mohammed Nassif},
journal = {Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.)},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/curroncol33100587},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930154},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Association Between Anastomotic Leak and 5-Year Oncologic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Resection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AU - Ali Farsi
AU - Mohammed Nassif
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.)
DO - 10.3390/curroncol33100587
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930154
AB - Background Anastomotic leak (AL) is a serious complication following colorectal cancer (CRC) resection. Its influence on long-term oncologic outcomes, including recurrence and survival, remains controversial.Methods This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of AL following CRC resection with anastomosis for stage 1-3 CRC. Clinical, operative, oncologic, and follow-up data were collected. AL was diagnosed within 30 days postoperatively. Primary outcomes included recurrence and mortality.Results A total of 204 patients were included, of whom 25 (12.3%) developed AL. CRC recurrence occurred in 28.0% of patients with AL compared with 24.6% without AL (p = 0.712). Median time to recurrence was shorter in patients with AL (7 vs. 15 months, p = 0.064). One-year mortality was higher in patients with AL (20.0% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.008), and time to mortality was shorter (7 vs. 35 months, p = 0.048). However, AL was not independently associated with mortality or poor outcome on multivariable analysis.Conclusions AL following CRC resection was associated with earlier mortality and a trend toward earlier recurrence, although no independent association with long-term oncologic outcomes was demonstrated. A larger prospective study with standardized leak definitions would better clarify the relationships between AL and CRC outcomes.
SN - 1198-0052
SN - 1718-7729
ER -