Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Colorectal Carcinoma

Abstract

Background and aims. Colorectal cancer is the most common malignancy of the GI tract and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Colorectal cancer is a major health problem in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinico-pathological characteristics of colorectal carcinoma in Benghazi Libya. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Department of Radi-otherapy, National Cancer Center, Benghazi, Libya. This study included 60 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed over a period of three years (January 2018 through December 2020). Results: A total of 60 patients were studied out of these, 34 (57%) patients were male, whereas 26 (43%) were female with male: female ratio of 1.3:1. The mean age was 60.7±13.5 years with age ranged from 21 to 81 years. Maximum number of cases were observed between the ages of 51-60 years and 71-80 years. In the studied cases, the most common histological type of colorectal adenocarcinoma was non-mucinous adenocarcinoma 42 (70%), mucinous adenocarcinoma 18 (30%). The rectum was the predominant site with 42 (72%) cases followed by the recto-sigmoid colon with 9 (15%) cases. In both non-mucinous and mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma, the commonest histological grade was grade II 34 (56.7%). Majority of cases presented at TNM stages IIIB, and IV 27 (45%), 25 (41.7%) respectively. Conclusions: Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type. Patients with colorectal cancer were more expected to present with more advanced stages in older age group. Such results necessitate the need for screening program for the detection at an earlier stage and to achieve a reduction of mortality rate.