Figure 1

Visual aid illustrating two treatment scenarios for patients with UICC stage III colon cancer based on the published data[12, 13]. The results of an operation (OP) alone (A) are shown as mild treatment on the left, and the results of an OP plus adjuvant 5-FU chemotherapy (CHT) (B) are shown as intense treatment on the right. The illustrations are based on 4 quadrants showing 100 squares representing% or events. The relative incidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis are displayed in the two upper quadrants and important undesired events in the two lower quadrants. The difference in recurrence of the two treatment options is summarized in the central dotted circle followed by a statement about overall survival benefit. To better differentiate the criteria, each is represented in a different color. If several criteria applied to one patient (e.g., nausea and diarrhea), the first criterion is shown as background color. Further criteria are shown in the foreground with the sign (X) in the appropriate color.