Korean J Pathol.  2001 Feb;35(1):14-19.

Does the Colorectal Cancer Among Koreans Share the Same Pathological Features by Geographical Distribution: A Nationwide Survey of Surgically Resected 1,676 Cancers from 1,602 Patients

• Chang MS
• Sohn JH
• Kang DY
• Kang GH
• Kim MS
• Kim WH
• Nam JH
• Moon WS
• Park SH
• Park CJ
• Sung RH
• Oh YL
• Chang ES
• Chang HK
• Cho MY
• Cho KJ
• Kim YI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This nationwide survey was undertaken to characterize the general pathological features of colorectal cancer in Korea, and especially to elucidate the geographical characteristics by means of their anatomical distribution.
METHODS
We analysed 1,676 colorectal cancers (from 1,602 patients) surgically resected in 1998 at 15 institutions from nine geographical sites in Korea.
RESULTS
The topographic incidence of colorectal cancer in seven out of the total nine geographical sites, was the highest in the rectum (32-54%); and those from Wonju and Cheongju were in the sigmoid colon (28% for both). The right colon cancer incidence was 42% in Wonju and 36% in Cheongju, while it was 17-22% in the other areas. The cecal cancer incidences in Wonju and in Taegu were 7% and 8%, respectively, but 0-4% in the other areas. As for histology, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was the most frequent (46-84%), except for in Wonju and Chonju, where the most predominant type was well differentiated (63% and 52%, respectively).
CONCLUSION
The incidence of right colon cancer was higher in Wonju and Cheongju, than in the other geographical sites. The cecal predilection was prominent in Taegu and Wonju. The Elucidation of geographical differences in degree of differentiation for tubular adenocarcinoma seems to require further cumulative study with strict guidelines.

Keyword

Colorectal cancer; Nationwide survey; Pathology; Topography

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Cecal Neoplasms
Chungcheongbuk-do
Colon, Sigmoid
Colonic Neoplasms
Colorectal Neoplasms*
Daegu
Gangwon-do
Humans
Incidence
Jeollabuk-do
Korea
Pathology
Rectum