PATTERN OF PRESENTATION OF COLORECTAL CANCER IN A TERTIARY CARE FACILITY, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA A Ten-Year Retrospective Review

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant neoplasm worldwide and the leading gastrointestinal malignancy globally. In Nigeria, CRC has risen from the tenth to the fourth most common cancer in a single decade, yet organized screening is virtually absent and most patients present with advanced disease. METHODS A retrospective review of 300 histologically confirmed CRC cases presenting to the Radiotherapy Department, UCH Ibadan, between January 2002 and December 2011 was conducted. The Modified Astler-Coller (MAC) staging system was applied. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 26.0. RESULTS The proportion of CRC among all registered cancers rose from 1.9% in 2002 to 5.1% in 2011. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The modal age group was 40–49 years (26.7%) and 51.3% of patients were younger than 50 years. Adenocarcinoma was the dominant histological type (74.7%). MAC Stage D was the most frequent stage at presentation (37.7%). Serum CEA correlated significantly with disease stage (chi-square 136.7; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION CRC incidence at UCH Ibadan is rising, with a markedly younger age of presentation than in high-incidence countries. Late-stage disease predominates. Lowering the recommended screening age to 40 years and instituting public awareness campaigns are urgently recommended. Keywords: colorectal cancer;