The earlier the disease is detected, the better the prognosis for colorectal cancer. 80 percent of patients are alive after five years if the cancer is found in an early stage. In addition to tumor incidence, prognosis is affected by patient age, general condition, tumor complications, and degree of tumor differentiation.
Finland ranks high in Western Europe in the results of treatment of colorectal cancer. Advances in surgical techniques, new chemotherapy and drug therapies have greatly improved treatment outcomes. The goal after surgery and any adjunctive treatments is to have local recurrence in less than 5-10% of patients.