Study On The Demographic, Clinical, And Histopathological Characteristics Of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality globally, and its burden continues to rise, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the demographic and clinicopathological patterns of CRC is essential for early detection and effective treatment planning. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, and histopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer. Methods: Data from patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer from January 2024 to December 2024 at North East Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh were collected. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological information was obtained from patient records and analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 20. Results: Among the 164 patients, 52.8% were male, with the majority (20.1%) in the 60-69 years age group. The most common symptoms were changes in bowel habits (50.8%), rectal bleeding (43.1%), and abdominal pain (37.2%). The rectum was the most frequent tumor site (58.1%), and glandular adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type (61.4%). Dukes classification revealed that 37.3% of tumors were classified as Class B and 30.8% as Class C, indicating a high proportion of advanced-stage diagnoses. Initial misdiagnosis, particularly as gastroenteritis (41.8%) or hemorrhoids (17.1%), was common. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the demographic, clinical, and pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer in Bangladesh. It highlights the need for improved early detection, better diagnostic protocols, and enhanced public awareness to reduce delays in diagnosis and improve patient outcomes in the region.