[Correction: Long-Term Survival of Patients with Colon and Rectum Carcinomas: Is There a Difference Between Cancer Centers and Non-Certified Hospitals?]

AIM OF THE STUDY: Hospitals specializing in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma with high quality standards can apply for certification as colorectal cancer centers. The aim of this study was to clarify if there is a substantial difference between certified and non-certified hospitals in terms of long-term survival of patients. METHODS: This is a population-based retrospective cohort study using the data of a clinical cancer registry (Tumorzentrum Regensburg) which covers a southern German region of approximately 1.1 million inhabitants. 4302 patients with colorectal carcinoma who underwent radically surgery between 2004 and 2013 were divided into 4 groups for comparing certified and non-certified centers as well as the situation before and after certification. 3-year overall survival is displayed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, multivariate cox regression and relative survival models. Sensitivity analysis for missing data was conducted. ERGEBNISSE: Die geschatzte 3-Jahres-Uberlebensrate von Zentrumspatienten und -patientinnen betragt 71,6% verglichen mit 63,6% an nicht zertifizierten Krankenhausern. Auch nach Adjustierung fur wichtige Einflussvariablen ist die Behandlung an zertifizierten Darmkrebszentren mit einem signifikanten Uberlebensvorteil verbunden (HR=0,808, KI: 0,665–0,982). Vergleicht man im zeitlichen Langsschnitt die Falle heutiger Darmkrebszentren vor und nach Zertifizierung ergeben sich fast identische 3-Jahres Uberlebensraten und auch in der Cox-Regression sind keine signifikanten Unterschiede festzustellen (HR=0,964, KI: 0,848–1,096). CONCLUSION: Patients with colorectal cancer treated in certified compared to non-certified centers show long-term survival benefits. Patients of certified colorectal cancer centers show long-term survival benefits compared to those treated at non-certified centers. Early and successful implementation of high quality standards could explain why survival rates before and after certification do not differ.