Management of stage II and III rectal cancer in British Columbia: Is there a rural-urban difference?

Abstract Background This study assessed management of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer from rural, small and large local health authorities (LHA) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Methods We analyzed patients from 2004-2009 using a prospective database. Patients were defined as living in rural, small or large LHA using Statistics Canada definitions. Differences in treatments and outcomes were analyzed using chi-squared and log-rank tests, respectively. Results Among 1964 patients, 13% lived in rural, 22% in small, and 66% in large LHAs. There were no differences in rates of abdominoperineal resections in rural (33%), small (39%) and large (35%) areas (p = 0.30). The proportion of patients who received radiotherapy (86–88%, p = 0.80) and adjuvant chemotherapy (56–57%, p = 0.89) were similar. There was no difference in 5-year disease-free survival (84–86%, p = 0.98) or overall survival (57–59%, p = 0.99). Conclusions The management and outcome of locally advanced rectal cancer patients seems to be comparable for rural and non-rural BC.