Aim: The study aim was to determine whether the Jass classification is superior to that of Astler-Coller (modification of Dukes' stage) in determining prognosis of patients treated for colorectal carcinoma.
Study design: The authors used Jass' classification to restage 263 patients who had undergone radical colorectal surgery and classified according to Astler-Coller.
Results: The results revealed that: 1) Astler-Coller's classification enables more accurate selection of patient groups where life expectancy can be predicted; 2) Jass' classification enables statistically significant (P <0.05) improved prognostic discrimination of Astler-Coller's B2 patients, for which the probability of nonrecurrence of the disease is around 60%.
Conclusions: Although Astler-Coller's classification is still valid, Jass' classification is useful for the prognostic discrimination of Astler-Coller's B2 patients.