The distribution and pathological staging of colorectal cancers in ethnic groups.
BACKGROUND
There is little data on the distribution and histological staging of colorectal cancer in ethnic groups in the United Kingdom. A study to investigate this was undertaken at a hospital serving a multi-ethnic population.


METHODS
Case analysis from a prospective database of all colorectal cancers between 2000-2004 was performed. Data was recorded on the distribution of cancer, operative procedures and Dukes' staging.


RESULTS
A total of 256 patients (118 females) were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, of whom 214 (83.6%) underwent resection. There were 39 Afro-Caribbeans 66.2 years +/- 12.6 years; mean [age +/- s.d.], 14 Asians 64 years +/- 12.6 years, 34 Mediterraneans 67.7 years +/- 9.9 years and 176 Caucasian British 74.3 years +/- 11.3 years. Right-sided colonic lesions were more frequent in Afro-Caribbeans, whilst left-sided lesions were more frequent in Mediterraneans. The incidence of Dukes'A cancer was high in Mediterraneans whilst Dukes' C cancer was commoner in Caucasians and Afro-Caribbeans.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethnic patients present with colorectal cancer at significantly younger ages. Afro-Caribbeans have significantly more right-sided and Mediterraneans more left-sided cancer. Afro-Caribbean and Caucasian patients present with more advanced cancer compared to Mediterraneans. This has implications on the investigation, as well as screening in ethnic minority patients.
Tiwari
Alok
A
Department of Surgery, North Middlesex University Hospital, Edmonton, London, UK.
Yeo
Tun Kwan
TK
Riris
Solon
S
Moghal
Mohammed
M
Williams
Sue
S
Meleagros
Luke
L
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging