The changing distribution of large intestinal cancer (original) (raw)
Abstract
In recent years, several accounts have reported a proximal migration of colorectal cancer. To determine the experience at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, 1044 cases of large-bowel cancer that presented between the years 1955 and 1978 were analyzed. The colon was arbitrarily divided into five anatomic regions, and the distribution of cancer in each region for each of eight three-year periods was calculated. An increase in right-sided lesions ocurred from 15.6 per cent in the first three-year period to 37.6 per cent in the final three-year period (P<0.01). No significant change occurred in transverse and left-colon lesions. An increase in sigmoid carcinomas occurred from 14 per cent to 35 per cent (P<0.01). A dramatic decrease in rectal carcinoma from 53 per cent to 2.1 per cent occurred (P<0.001). These findings imply that methods for the early detection and screening of large-bowel carcinoma should be directed at the entire colon rather than the distal 25 cm.
Similar content being viewed by others
Rectal Cancer
Chapter © 2019

References
- Vital Statistics of the United States. Ca—A Journal for Clinicians 1981;31:13–28.
Google Scholar - Abrams JS. Elective resection for colorectal cancer in Vermont: 1971–1975. Am J Surg 1980;139:78–83.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Abrams JS, Reines HD. Increasing incidence of right-sided lesions in colorectal cancer. Am J Surg 1979;137:522–6.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Axtell LM, Chiazze L Jr. Changing relative frequency of cancers of the colon and rectum in the United States. Cancer 1966;19:750–4.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Bülow, S. Colorectal cancer in patients less than 40 years of age in Denmark, 1943–1967. Dis Colon Rectum 1980;23:327–36.
Article PubMed Google Scholar - Burns FJ. Synchronous and metachronous malignancies of the colon and rectum. Dis Colon Rectum 1980;23:578–9.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Cady B, Persson AV, Monson DO, Maunz DL. Changing patterns of colorectal carcinoma. Cancer 1974;33:422–6.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Franklin R, McSwain B. Carcinoma of the colon, rectum, and an us. Ann Surg 1970;171:811–8.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Morgenstern L, Lee SE. Spatial distribution of colonic carcinoma. Arch Surg 1978;113:1142–3.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Prager ED, Swinton NW, Young JL, Veidenheimer MC, Corman ML. Follow-up study of patients with benign mucosal polyps discovered by proctosigmoidoscopy. Dis Colon Rectum 1974;17:322–4.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Rhodes JB, Holmes FF, Clark GM. Changing distribution of primary cancers in the large bowel. JAMA 1977;238:1641–3.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Rosato FE, Marks G. Changing site distribution patterns of colorectal cancer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dis Colon Rectum 1981;24:93–5.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Snyder DN, Heston JF, Meigs JW, Flannery JT. Changes in site distribution of colorectal carcinoma in Connecticut, 1940–1973. Dig Dis 1977;22:791–7.
Article CAS Google Scholar - Welch CE, Giddings WP. Carcinoma of colon and rectum: observations on Massachusetts General Hospital cases, 1937–1948. N Engl J Med 1951;244:859–67.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Welch JP, Donaldson GA. Recent experience in the management of cancer of the colon and rectum. Am J Surg 1974;127:258–66.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Parkash O. Statistical and etiological aspects of carcinoma of the large intestine: a study based on autopsy data from 1928–1972. Digestion 1974;11:115–27.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Cass AW, Million RR, Pfaff WW. Patterns of recurrence following surgery alone for adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum. Cancer 1976;37:2861–5.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Gilbertsen VA, Adenocarcinoma of the large bowel: 1,340 cases with 100 per cent follow-up. Surgery 1959;46:1027–42.
PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Smiddy FG, Goligher JC. Results of surgery in treatment of cancer of the large intestine. Br Med J 1957;1:793–6.
Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar - Swinton NW, Counts RL. Cancer of the colon and rectum: statistical study, with end-results. JAMA 1956;161:1139–42.
Article CAS Google Scholar - Gilbertsen VA. Proctosigmoidoscopy and polypectomy in reducing the incidence of rectal cancer. Cancer 1974;34:936–9.
Article PubMed Google Scholar - Bond JH, Gilbertsen VA. Early detection of colonic carcinoma by mass screening for occult stool blood: preliminary report (abstr). Gastroenterology 1977;72:1031.
Google Scholar - Chapuis PH, Goulston KJ, Pheils MT. Screening of patients after surgery for colorectal carcinoma value of faecal occult blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Med J Aust 1980;1:538–40.
PubMed CAS Google Scholar
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
- Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Ste. Cathérine Road, H3T 1E2, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Joseph Mamazza M.D. & Philip H. Gordon M.D.
Authors
- Joseph Mamazza M.D.
- Philip H. Gordon M.D.
Additional information
Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 7 to 11, 1981.
This study was supported by the Department of Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.
About this article
Cite this article
Mamazza, J., Gordon, P.H. The changing distribution of large intestinal cancer.Dis Colon Rectum 25, 558–562 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02564165
- Published: 12 October 2013
- Issue date: September 1982
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02564165