Colorectal Cancer in Aljabal Alakdar area, east Libya: An overview of five-years cancer incidence

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the incidence of colorectal cancer cases in the Aljabal Alakdar area, east Libya, and identify high-risk population to facilitate early detection and improve survival outcomes. Methods: The data was collected retrospectively in cross-sectional, during five-years from January 2019 to December 2023, from patients' files in the oncology department of Benghazi Medical Center and Albeida Hospital (hospital-based). Results: In the five years between 2019 and 2023, 186 patients with colorectal cancer were reported in the Aljabal Alakdar region, east Libya. Ninety cases were male, while ninety-six cases were female. Males (N=20) had a higher incidence of rectal cancer than females (N=13) (P value = 0.05). The average age was 60.88 + 13.35 (P = 0.665). The most common presentation observed among patients at the time of diagnosis was chronic constipation and abdominal pain as complications of intestinal obstruction by large masses, while 23% of cases were asymptomatic. Conclusion: Colorectal cancer incidence has seen a notable increase over the last two years (2022 and 2023). A significant portion of the detected cases were asymptomatic and elderly, which indicates the importance of activating screening programs focusing on patients over 50 years of age or those with familial colorectal cancer. Also increasing people's knowledge about the benefits of early discovery in improving the prognosis.