Morphological and Clinical Analysis of Colorectal Cancer: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with increasing incidence in developing countries like Pakistan. This study aims to evaluate the distribution patterns of colorectal cancer morphologies among patients treated at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro. Methodology: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted over two years (January 2022 to December 2023) at the Department of Gastroenterology, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, in collaboration with the Department of Pathology, LUMHS Jamshoro. A total of 150 patients diagnosed with CRC and who underwent surgical resection were included in the study. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, histopathological types, tumor grading, and staging. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with Fisher’s exact test applied to assess associations between variables. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.7 years (± 11.2), with the majority being male (60%). Most tumors were classified as non-mucinous adenocarcinomas (56%), followed by mucinous adenocarcinomas (28%) and signet-ring cell carcinomas (16%). A strong positive correlation was found between tumor size and Dukes' staging (ρ = 0.42, p < 0.001), as well as between Dukes' staging and tumor grading (ρ=0.46, p<0.001). Rectal bleeding was significantly associated with advanced Dukes’ stages (ρ=0.44, p <0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the aggressive nature of colorectal cancer in the studied population, with significant associations between age, tumor size, staging, and grading. The findings underscore the need for early detection strategies and tailored treatment approaches to address CRC in this region. Keywords: Colorectal Cancer, Dukes’ Staging, Histopathology, Tumor Grading.