Right-Sided Versus Left-Sided Colon Cancer-A 5-Year Single-Center Observational Study

Background: Global colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is significant, constituting 15% of all cancer cases with 1.4 million new diagnoses annually. Recent research suggests categorizing CRC into three clinical groups: right colon cancer (RCC), left colon cancer (LCC), and rectal cancer, each with distinct embryological and molecular characteristics. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 189 patients (103 men, 86 women) undergoing surgery for RCC and LCC from January 2018 to December 2023 was performed. Results: LCC was a more common localization (98, 51.85%) than RCC (91, 48.15%). Patients with RCC were older than patients with LCC (70 (36-92, IQR 11) vs. 68 (38-84, IQR 12.5) years; p = 0.02). The duration of surgical procedure was comparable in both groups (225 (120-420, IQR 80) vs. 210 (105-505, IQR 85) minutes; p = 0.16). Complications occurred in 16 (17.58%) patients with RCC and in 15 (15.31%) patients with LCC (p = 0.72). One-year overall survival was 92.76% (SE 2.16%) (91.57% (SE 3.43%) in the RCC group and 93.99% (SE 2.61%) in the LCC group; p = 0.79). Conclusions: Colon cancer incidence is increasing globally due to economic and lifestyle factors. Our study reflects this trend, noting a rise in cases from 2018 to 2023. Despite several differences, overall survival rates do not significantly differ between RCC and LCC patients. Understanding clinical disparities is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.