Histopathological Features of Colorectal Cancer in Al-Madinah Region of Saudi Arabia: 8 Years Experience

Background: To determine the histopathological pattern of colorectal cancer (CRC) among Saudi patientswith a view to determine various epidemiological and histopathological features of the disease. Materials and
Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the demographic and histopathological data of all the patientswith CRC diagnosed at King Fahad Hospital, Madinah, Saudi Arabia over a period of 8 years from January2006 to December 2013.
Results: Of 324 cases of CRC reviewed, 200 cases (61.7%) were males while 124 cases(38.3%) were females giving a male to female ratio of 1.6: 1. Age of the patients ranged from 20 to 100 yearswith a mean age 57.9 years. The rectosigmoid region was the most frequent anatomical site (13.6%) involved andadenocarcinoma (88.6%) was the most common histopathological type. The majority of adenocarcinomas (87.3%)were moderately differentiated. A total of 47.8% of patients were in stage B and 43.5% of patients were in stageC of the Aster-Coller classification. Most patients (75.7%) presented with large size tumors. Lymphovascularinvasion and lymph node metastasis were recorded in 67.9% and 43.6% of cases, respectively.
Conclusions:Colorectal cancer is common in our environment and the majority of patients present late with an advancedstage. Screening programs regarding CRC should be enhanced to improve the outcome of the patients.