Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry

Summary from the annual report 2025

This annual report includes all patients with colon and rectal cancer in all stages for the period 2015–2025. The reference group for the Norwegian colorectal cancer registry has defined quality indicators relevant for this group of patients accompanied by target levels. Results are summarized and graded according to level of target achievement (high, moderate, or low). See figure 1.1 and 1.3 for an overview of national quality indicators and results. The results for the quality indicators are presented in chapter 2.

Summary colon cancer

The reporting rate for clinical reports are 88,6 % for diagnostic work-up and 93,7 % for surgery reports. The quality goal for reporting to the registry is set at 80 %. It is still important to continue improving the completeness, even though we achieved the quality goals.

For colon cancer, all nine quality indicators show high target achievement this year. Five-year relative survival for patients with stage I–III disease after surgery remains stable at 89,8%, while five-year survival for all stages is 70,7 %. Postoperative mortality within 100 days after elective surgery is low at 1,9 %.

The proportion of patients without metastatic disease is 86.6 %, a level that has remained stable over time. Timely initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy, increasing use of laparoscopic surgery, and molecular testing (MSI/MMR) all demonstrate good performance, with MSI/MMR testing reaching 92.0 %.

Summary rectal cancer

There porting rate for clinical reports is 90,3 % for diagnostic work-up and 96,4 % for surgery reports.

For rectal cancer, eleven of twelve quality indicators achieve high target achievement, while one shows moderate achievement. Five-year relative survival for patients with stage I–III disease after surgery remains stable and meets target levels, and five-year survival for all stages is 74,6 %.

The proportion of patients without metastatic disease is 81,9 %, close to the target value. Laparoscopic surgery is now performed in 96,0 % of rectal cancer cases. A new indicator assessing the use of preoperative radiotherapy when indicated shows moderate target achievement at 69,0 %. Documentation of anatomical risk factors important for treatment planning, including tumour distance to the mesorectal fascia, continues to improve. 

Overall, the results indicate a high level of quality of care for patients with colon and rectal cancer in Norway.