Colorectal Cancer Prevalence and Survival in Cuenca (Spain)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death in Spain, with age over 50 being the primary risk factor.
• Prognosis for CRC is strongly dependent on tumor stage at diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and survival rates of colorectal cancer in Cuenca, Spain, a region with limited existing research.
• To conduct the first survival study of colorectal cancer screening in Castilla-La Mancha hospitals.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective descriptive cohort study included 57 patients diagnosed with CRC via colonoscopy between May 2015 and April 2016.
• Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, with a 48-month follow-up period.
• Survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression assessed hazard rates for age, gender, stage, and metastasis.

Main Results:

• The study included 57 patients with a mean follow-up of 45.5 months.
• Ten patients died during the study period, seven from colorectal cancer.
• The 48-month survival rate was 82.4%.

Conclusions:

• Colorectal cancer, predominantly adenocarcinoma, is highly prevalent, affecting men more frequently.
• Mortality increases with tumor stage at diagnosis but decreases with chemotherapy use.
• Findings support the need for larger epidemiological studies for regional CRC surveillance in Spain.