The diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer

Abstract

Background. Colon cancer is a major health problem in people aged over 50 years.In Republic of Moldova the incidence of colon cancer is 15.9 to 100000 population;the mortality is 31.2 to 10000 population.The most important diagnostic method is colonoscopy with biopsy.The majority of the pacients ondergo surgical treatment,but some of them suffer postoperative complications.Our objective is to evaluate the present situation regarding the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer in Republic of Moldova. Materials and methods. In our study were analised 63 pacients with colon cancer.We collected data from the pacients’medical records regarding:age,geografic distribution of the pacients,localization of the tumor,degree of differentiation, stage,surgical intervention,postoperative complications and outcome. Results.87% of the pacients were aged over 50 years.27% of the pacients live in Chisinau(urban medium).The tumor is localized in the sigmoid region of the colon in 43 %(27 pacients),in the transverse- 22%,in the descendent-14%,in the ascendent-11%,in cecum-10%.Most pacients are affected by tumors with G2 degree of differentiation-48%(30 pacients).The most frequently encountered stages were T4NoMo(27%), T3NoMo(19%),T4N1Mo(14%);TisNoMo was found only in 1 pacient(1.58%).Radical surgery was performed in 39 pacients(61.9%),while paliative interventions- 22pacients(34.9%);exploratory laparascopy was performed with diagnostic purpose in 2 pacients(3.17%).Postoperative complications ocurred in 8 of pacients(12.7%),out of this 4 pacients (6.34%) died in the postoperative period. Conclusion.Our findings indicate that most frequently were detected in late stages.A great propotion of the pacients ondergo paliative intervention.12.7% suffered postoperative complications.Taking into consideration this result,we believe that in order to achieve a better prognosis in pacients it would be necessary to take measures aimed at improving screening and earlier diagnosis of colon cancer.This would in sure a high eficiency of the surgical treatment and would decrease the number of postoperative complications.