Table 1. Baseline characteristics (n=39).

Age, median (range), years	58 (30–75)
Gender, n (%)
Male	24 (61.5)
Female	15 (38.5)
Comorbidities and previous pathologic conditions, n (%)
Controlled hypertension	15 (38.5)
Controlled diabetes	7 (17.9)
Episodes of hypersensitivity	5 (12.8)
Gastric ulcer	2 (5.1)
Degenerative arthropathy	2 (5.1)
COPD	2 (5.1)
Site of cancer at first diagnosis, n (%)
Colon	34 (87.2)
Rectum	5 (12.8)
Previous surgery on primary tumour, n (%)
Total	34 (87.2)
Left hemicolectomy	14 (35.9)
Anterior resection of rectum	12 (30.8)
Right hemicolectomy	8 (20.5)
No. of target lesions at baseline, n (%)
1	14 (35.9)
2	7 (17.9)
3	6 (15.4)
4	3 (7.7)
5	4 (10.3)
⩾6	5 (12.8)

Abbreviation: COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.