Distribution Patterns of Morphologies of Colorectal Carcinoma: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Colorectal malignancies are one of the commonest cancers throughout the world which is often diagnosed at advanced stages. Several lifestyle factors contribute to the development of this cancer such as a high intake of processed meats and low intake of fruits and vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in BIRDEM General Hospital in Dhaka in the Department of Pathology with 109 resected colectomy specimens during the period of March 2020 to February 2022. Relevant findings were recorded and analyzed for determining the morphological characteristics based on histopathological types, grading and staging of the malignancy. Results: Maximum patients belonged to 51-60 years of age; were males, hailing from urban regions and found to indulge in smoking. Per rectal bleeding, alteration of bowel habits and abdominal pain were the most frequently reported clinical symptoms. The commonest areas of occurrence of the tumors were rectum, recto-sigmoid junction and caecum. Out of all the 109 cases, 48, 45 and 16 belonged to non-mucinous, mucinous and signet-ring types as per histological classification respectively. Among these, 39 of non-mucinous and 24 of mucinous types belonged to Dukes’ B staging whereas 11 of the signet-ring variants fell in Dukes’ C stage. Regarding grading, maximum patients, meaning 68 out of 109, belonged to Grade II. After performing Fisher’s exact test, associations between staging and grading, grading and types and types and grading were found statistically significant. Conclusion: Colon and rectal mucin-secreting and signet-ring cell adenocarcinomas are high grade cancers that usually show up at an advanced stage.