Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with colorectal cancer in Bhutan: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

Globally, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This study describes the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, the only hospital with onco-surgery services in Bhutan.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study based on the review of records of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 2018 and 2024 at the National Referral Hospital, Thimphu.

RESULTS

There were 182 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancers in the six-year period. The highest proportions were observed in the Trashigang (28, 15.4%), Pema Gatshel (15, 8.2%), Mongar (14, 7.7%), Samtse (14, 7.7%) and Sarpang (14, 7.7%) districts. The mean age at diagnosis was 61.5 ± 15.6 years; almost half were males (95, 52.2%) and 82 (45.1%) were ≥ 65 years. The common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (48, 26.4%), altered bowel habits (35, 19.2%), and per rectal bleeding (33, 18.1%). The predominant location of the tumour was in the middle/lower rectum (43, 23.6%) and the right colon (40, 22.0%). The majority of the patients were diagnosed with Stage III (59, 32.4%) and Stage IV (16, 8.8%) diseases. The dominant histology pattern was adenocarcinoma (38, 20.9%). The common form of treatment offered was surgery with chemotherapy (74, 40.7%).

CONCLUSION

Higher proportion of colorectal cancers were reported among older adults and with Stage III or IV disease. This study reports the baseline description of patients with colorectal cancer in Bhutan.