Colorectal cancer among Yemeni patients characteristics and trends

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to describe the characteristics and trends of colorectal cancer registered in Aden Cancer Registry. A retrospective analysis of all registered cancers [1735] was performed at Aden Cancer Center, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen from the years 1997-2001, to describe colorectal cancers with regards to age, sex and residency distribution, subsites and histopathology, and incidence rates. The results indicate that digestive system cancers are the most common cancers [17.1%]; and colorectal cancer [28%] is the most common of these. Developing countries characteristics of this cancer are clear. These include a relatively high proportion of early-onset tumor [19.3% of cases were <40 years], and left sided subsite distribution [49.4% of cases were in the rectum and rectosigmoid junction]. Further analytical studies, to address the community-related risk factors, public education, and screening programs for colorectal cancer are mandatory