Title : Prevalence of anaemia in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer
Abstract:
Background: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the UK. Colorectal cancer is rare before age 40; the incidence rises gradually to 3.7/1000 per year by age of 80 years. 94% new cases are diagnosed over age of 50 and 59% aged 70 or over. Anaemia is frequently seen at presentation in colorectal cancer patients, with a reported incidences of > 30%. The incidence depends on the site of the cancer. Aim: To assess the prevalence of anaemia in patients diagnosed with tumors located in different segments of the colon and rectum. Method: All patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital UK from January 2015 through December 2019 were retrospectively identified from the referral database created by colorectal specialist nurses in the colorectal service. Data were retrieved by detailed review of the hospital case notes, ICE/Evolve (Computer database for investigations and correspondence) including endoscopy; radiographic imaging; operative course and cancer follow up. Results: In the study period 976 patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer percentages of studied participant were Male 52.6% (513) and Female 47.4% (463). The Male to Female ratio was 1:1.10. The mean age of 74.14 years (range, 25 to 101). Ninety four (94) (9.63%) patients were excluded from the study. Anaemia was evident in 46.93% of all cancers, Iron deficiency present in 28.3% and 18.59% patients had Normocytic anaemia. Right Colon 37.07% of patient diagnosed with tumour, 204 had anaemia at presentation with 40.06% of being iron deficiency, In 555 patients with Left Colon cancer, 37.83% were anaemic, 16.39% normocytic and 21.44% of these had an Iron deficiency. Of 261 Rectal cancer patients 31.03% were anaemic at presentation with 17.62% of these having iron deficiency. 53.06% Patients with no anaemia were more likely to have a diagnosis of Colorectal cancer than those who were anaemic 46.93%. Conclusion: In Patients presenting with anaemia, colonoscopy or investigation of the whole colon is mandatory because there is a greater likelihood of a cancer in the proximal colon. Timely diagnosis and complete resection remains the keystones for the management of colon cancer.
