Rising Pattern Of Presentation And Treatment Outcome Of Colorectal Cancer Cases In Lagos

Abstract

Background: In Africa, the incidence of Colorectal Cancer is rising due to changing to western diets. This study was conducted to  review the pattern of presentation and treatment outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC) seen at the Radiotherapy department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria over a period of 10 years.

Methodology: Adescriptive retrospective study of all cases of histological confirmed colorectal cancers from January 2004 to December 2013 in the department. The case files were retrieved from the records unit; data extracted included age, sex, clinical presentation, most common histology, stage of disease at presentation and treatment received, treatment outcome and follow up. Analysis was done
using SPSS version 17 and presented in frequency tables, charts.

Results: One hundred and thirty cases were analyzed. Majority of CRC occurred in the 5th decade of life with slight male dominance. The mean age was 50.7±13.7. The commonest clinical presentation was change in bowel habits and the rectum was the commonest anatomical region diseased, accounting for 43.8% of cases. Majority of the patients presented with stages III and IV of the disease (38.5%). 51.4% of patients had chemotherapy in their treatments while 5.7% of cases had radical radiotherapy for rectal tumors. 41.5% of patients treated had partial response to the different treatment modalities.

Conclusion: The incidence of the disease is gradually on the increase in the younger age group, below 40 years. This study validates  the need for nationwide screening programs for earlier diagnosis of these tumors.

Keywords: Colorectal, Cancer, Pattern, treatment, Lagos.