Osama Abu Salem.
Colon cancer in North Jordan.
Rawal Med J Jan ;35(2):129-32.

Objective: To ascertain the features and characteristics of colorectal cancer in North Jordan in patients at Prince Rashid Military Teaching Hospital during 2005-2007. Method: Patients with large bowel cancer were reviewed. Data collected included age, gender, site of tumor, presentation, histology, extension of tumor and nodal involvement and treatment. Results:There were 69 new cases of colorectal cancer (42 males and 27 females) admitted to the hospital during the period 2005-2007. Cancer was diagnosed preoperatively by colonoscopy in 64% of the cases. Median age of patients was 61.2 for males and 62.3 for females in 2005, 63.8 males and 56.4 for females in 2006 and 59.1 males and 55.4 for females in 2007. The most common tumor grade was moderately differentiated (69%), then poorly differentiated (17%) and then well differentiated (14%). Mean annual incidence was 23 patients/year. Nine (13 %) patients were equal or under the age of 50 years, the presenting symptoms. Descend0ing and sigmoid colon were the most common anatomical sites affected (60 out of 69 patients). The most common histopathological type was adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: The findings of age affected were equal or less than 13% (i.e. equal or less than 50 years) indicates the need for cancer screening and prevention in Jordan. The best method to diminish the incidence of colorectal cancer today may be to increase the use of screening colonoscopy and biopsy. The changes in incidence strongly suggest that proximal and distal colonic cancers are different diseases or have a different pathogenesis or etiologies. (Rawal Med J 2010;35:129-132).

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