Variability of clinical characteristic of colorectal cancer patients – analysis of selected parameters

Introduction: A steady increase of the incidence of colorectal cancer has been observed for over 30 years, particularly in well-developed countries. Colorectal cancer is one of the lifestyle-related neoplasms and depends on environmental factors. Aim: Aim of the study was to analyse selected clinical features of colorectal cancer patients. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 577 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer treated in the Department of Clinical Oncology in Bytom in 2006–2014. The patients were included into the study prospectively. The analysis of selected clinical, pathological and anthropometrical parameters was conducted. Results: The study group included 237 women and 341 men aged 26 to 86 years (mean age 64.3 ± 9.2 years). Primary tumours were mostly located in the colon and had histological grade 2. The surgical removal of the primary tumour was performed in 540 patients. 65 patients underwent preoperative radiotherapy, 201 – postoperative chemotherapy and 91 – postoperative radio-chemotherapy. 132 of patients obtained the first-line palliative chemotherapy. 88 of patients did not received oncological treatment. KRAS/RAS mutation were determined in 73 patients and the EGFR expression status in 53 patients. Conclusions: Colorectal cancer patients are a heterogeneous group with differential clinical, pathological and molecular features. 1. Therapeutic management of patients with colorectal cancer largely depends on its location, clinical and pathological stage, patients performance status and comorbidities. 2. Understanding the clinical features of patients with colorectal cancer becomes helpful in designing of screening, which take into account clinical profile of the patient, i.e. age, gender, comorbidities and anthropometric characteristics.