[Colorectal cancer: epidemiologic characteristics in a hospital center of Rosario, Argentina].
OBJECTIVE
To obtain clinical and epidemiological information that could be relevant for the purpose of screening and diagnostic strategies in colorectal cancer (CRC).


METHODS
A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was performed during a three year-period at the Hospital Provincial del Centenario in Rosario, Argentina. A population of symptomatic patients referred for colonoscopic examination was evaluated after the histopathologic diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma was made. A total of 1.543 colonoscopies was evaluated. Relevant information was retrieved from clinical records, and endoscopic, pathologic and tomography examinations.


RESULTS
Eighty six cases of CRC were diagnosed, with an incidence rate of CRC in the study population of 5.6%. Eighty six percent of patients were older than 50 years. Seventy five percent of tumors were located in the sigmoid colon and rectum. Synchronic lesions were found in 5.8% of tumor cases. Type 2 stenotic lesions were preferentially found in the left colon, whereas the site of most type 1 lesions was within the right colon. Most tumors (89.70%) were moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinomas. The most frequent site of metastases was the liver (64%).


CONCLUSIONS
In this population of symptomatic patients, 75% of colorectal tumors were found in the sigmoid colon and rectum, with 5.8% of cases showing a second, synchronous tumor. More than 80% of neoplastic lesions occurred in patients aged 50 or older and almost 90% were moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinomas. These data suggest guidelines for a proper strategy to prevent CRC.
Ruffinengo
Orlando
O
Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital Provincial del Centenario, Argentina. ruffinengo9@hotmail.com
Tanno
Federico
F
Covernton
Josefina
J
Corral
Mariquena
M
Curvale
Cecilia
C
Robinson
Julia
J
Pairola
Gabriela
G
Raimondo
Miriam
M
Pezzotto
Stella
S
Tanno
Hugo
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult