Disease profile of colon and rectum carcinoma at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein.

A retrospective study evaluated all new cases of colorectal cancer which presented over a 7-year period at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein. The aim of the study was to compare patients younger than 40 years with the group older than 40 years. Most patients presented late, with advanced disease. A high proportion of patients were younger than 40 years (32.4%). No significant differences in sex ratio, tumour position, differentiation or stage of tumour were detected between the two groups. Of note was a high proportion (45%) of right-sided colon cancer in both groups. The younger patients did not have more advanced disease at presentation than the older group. Their prognosis, when matched stage for stage, was similar.