Continued change in the distribution of colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine whether the previously reported shift in carcinoma from the left colon to the right colon has progressed.

METHODS

The charts of 2169 patients admitted to one institution between 1979 and 1994 with a diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. The study was divided into four equal intervals. The large bowel was divided into five regions: right, transverse, left, sigmoid and rectum.

RESULTS

Right-sided lesions increased from 20.6 to 29.9 per cent (P = 0.001) and rectal lesions decreased from 22.0 to 11.3 per cent (P = 0.0002) from the first to the fourth study interval. The frequency of transverse, left and sigmoid colon lesions remained relatively constant.

CONCLUSION

The continuing trend of increased incidence of right-sided lesions and decreased incidence of rectal lesions was documented. Any screening examination for carcinoma requires total examination of the colon.