Scoping Review of Colorectal Cancer Research in Libya: Gaps and Opportunities in Peer-Reviewed Publications

IntroductionThis scoping review systematically mapped the landscape of peer-reviewed publications on colorectal cancer (CRC) research in Libya to identify prevailing trends and knowledge gaps that can inform national cancer control strategies.MethodsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, a comprehensive search of open-access databases was conducted.ResultsFindings from 42 eligible studies published between 1993 and 2024 revealed a fragmented research landscape with significant methodological and geographic disparities. Most of the studies were retrospective, hospital-based, and concentrated in northern urban centers such as Benghazi, Misrata, and Tripoli, leaving southern and peripheral regions underrepresented. Thematic analysis revealed an over-reliance on descriptive epidemiology, with minimal reporting on tumor characteristics, molecular profiling, or treatment outcomes. The research ecosystem also faces structural challenges, including dispersed authorship and inconsistent reporting of ethical and funding information, with the limited visibility of local journals further impeding their global reach.ConclusionThese findings indicate that peer-reviewed publications on CRC research in Libya are in a nascent developmental phase, facing structural and spatial challenges. Strengthening the research ecosystem will require an active centralized cancer registry, investment in molecular diagnostic infrastructure, and the adoption of inclusive, prospective, and community-based study designs. Addressing these systemic gaps is crucial for generating actionable and representative evidence to improve cancer outcomes nationwide.