Publication:

A comprehensive study on colorectal malignancies

Background Colorectal cancer is one of the cancers whose incidence is increasing globally. Coupled with the relatively sophisticated and expensive management protocols, it poses a major health systems challenge.

Methods The present study is a cross-sectional study conducted among patients admitted with colorectal carcinoma in the General Surgery wards in a tertiary care hospital. Data was collected using a pretested pre-structured interview schedule. Relevant lab and radiographic workup was done.

Results A total of 50 subjects were studied. The study population was largely male, illiterate and in the older age groups. The lesions were mostly left-sided and located in the rectum. 10% presented with metastasis and 16% presented as acute intestinal obstruction. Most of the lesions were in the Dukes’ stage C and mostly moderately differentiated. The common surgical procedures done in elective cases were curative abdomino-perineal obstruction and right hemicolectomy.

Conclusions Being a disease associated with old age and non-vegetarian dietary habits and requiring advanced surgery as gold standard treatment, colorectal cancer is especially important in a country undergoing disease-favorable epidemiologic and demographic transitions like India.