Nomograms for colorectal cancer: A systematic review

World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Nov 7;21(41):11877-86. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i41.11877.

Abstract

Aim: To assist in the selection of suitable nomograms for obtaining desired predictions in daily clinical practice.

Methods: We conducted electronic searches for journal articles on colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated nomograms using the search terms colon/rectal/colorectal/nomogram. Of 174 articles initially found, we retrieved 28 studies in which a nomogram for CRC was developed.

Results: We discuss the currently available CRC-associated nomograms, including those that predict the oncological prognosis, the short-term outcome of treatments, such as surgery or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and the future development of CRC. Developing nomograms always presents a dilemma. On the one hand, the desire to cover as wide a patient range as possible tends to produce nomograms that are too complex and yet have C-indexes that are not sufficiently high. Conversely, confining the target patients might impair the clinical applicability of constructed nomograms.

Conclusion: The information provided in this review should be of use in selecting a nomogram suitable for obtaining desired predictions in daily clinical practice.

Keywords: Cancer; Colon; Nomograms; Prognosis; Rectum.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Decision Support Techniques*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nomograms*
  • Patient Selection
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome