title: Clinical and pathological features of colorectal cancer in patients at a community hospital in Puerto Rico.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most common cancers in Puerto Rico. Few studies have correlated clinical and pathological variables with the overall survival of CRC patients in Puerto Rico. We report the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients who underwent surgical resection at a community hospital in Puerto Rico.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic and pathological variables of patients who underwent CRC surgery at Hospital del Maestro from 2006 through 2011 were reviewed. Descriptive statistics (mean, range, and frequency) and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to determine the influence of demographic and pathological variables on survival, after adjusting for age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and five CRC pathology reports were reviewed. Adenocarcinoma represented the most common pathology (202/205; 98.5%). Females represented 52% of the population (106/202) while males represented 48% (96/202). The median age was 71 years (30-96). The right colon was the most common site of presentation (49.7%; 100/201). Stage III was the most common stage at presentation. The presence of mucin, perineural or lymphatic invasion and tumor size were not related to decreased survival. Being male, having a higher stage at diagnosis, and having a moderately or poorly differentiated tumor were characteristics related to decreased survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides information on clinical and pathological variables and their influence on the overall survival of CRC patients at a community hospital in Puerto Rico. Further research must be performed to identify potential disparities and their influence on the prognosis of this patients.
authors: Maribel
authors: M
authors: Cotto
authors: Kathia E
authors: KE
authors: Rosado-Orozco
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Rizek
authors: Luis A
authors: LA
authors: Fraguada
authors: Virgilio
authors: V
authors: Brunet
authors: José J
authors: JJ
authors: Cerra
authors: Alexis
authors: A
authors: Sánchez
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Cabanillas
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Muñoz-Masso
authors: Maribel
authors: M
authors: Tirado-Gómez
authors: Norman
authors: N
authors: Maldonado
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D009077:Mucins