Stage of disease at time of attendance of patients with colorectal cancer at the Department of Surgery of the General Hospital of Edessa.

It is acceptable that the stage of disease at time of attendance of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is the defining factor for patients' survival rate. From 1986 until 1998, 417 patients were treated in the Department of Surgery of the General Hospital of Edessa with CRC. For diagnosis, established endoscopic procedures were followed. CT, USG, MRI and histology were performed for staging. 85.4% of the patients had stage II, III and IV TNM/UICC tumour at the time of attendance.