Definition and Incidence of Colon Cancer

Definition of Colon Cancer
Definition of colon cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).

Definition of rectal cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).
Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers.
Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become colon cancers.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men and women in the United States. Over the past decade, colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates have decreased or remained relatively level in all populations. Until age 50, men and women have similar incidence and mortality rates; after age 50, men are more vulnerable.

Stages of Colorectal Cancer (NCSM)
•Stage 0. The cancer is very early. It is found only in the innermost lining of the colon or rectum.
•Stage I. The cancer involves more of the inner wall of the colon or rectum.
•Stage II. The cancer has spread outside the colon or rectum to nearby tissue, but not to the lymph nodes. (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are part of the body's immune system.)
•Stage III. The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not to other parts of the body.
•Stage IV. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Colorectal cancer tends to spread to the liver and/or lungs.
•Recurrent. Recurrent cancer means the cancer has come back after treatment. The disease may recur in the colon or rectum or in another part of the body.

United States in 2010:
It is estimated that 142,570 men and women (72,090 men and 70,480 women) will be diagnosed with and 51,370 men and women will die of cancer of the colon and rectum in 2010.
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the colon and rectum was 70 years of age. Approximately 0.1% were diagnosed under age 20; 1.1% between 20 and 34; 3.8% between 35 and 44; 12.4% between 45 and 54; 19.2% between 55 and 64; 24.4% between 65 and 74; 26.8% between 75 and 84; and 12.2% 85+ years of age.
Deaths: 51,370 (colon and rectal combined)
New cases: 102,900 (colon); 39,670 (rectal)
The overall incidence of colorectal cancer increased until 1985 and then began decreasing at an average rate of 1.6% per year

Malaysia Stats
More than 90 per cent of the colorectal cancer cases in Malaysia occur in people over the age of 40.
It is decreasing around 16% cases compare to 2002.
In year 2003, Malaysia recorded at least 2552 cases of both colon and rectal cancers among male and female.
Male recorded for 52.3% (1335 cases) while female recorded 47.7% (1217 cases) both for colon and rectal cancers.
According to National Cancer Registry, Chinese have a highest incidence of colon and rectal cancers, there were 59.8% of cases involved Malaysian Chinese followed by Malay with 34.6% cases and Indian with 5.6% of cases.


Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program and the National Center for Health Statistics

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 47.9 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.


US Mortality
From 2003-2007, the median age at death for cancer of the colon and rectum was 75 years of age. Approximately 0.0% died under age 20; 0.6% between 20 and 34; 2.4% between 35 and 44; 8.1% between 45 and 54; 15.6% between 55 and 64; 22.2% between 65 and 74; 30.4% between 75 and 84; and 20.6% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted death rate was 17.6 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on patients who died in 2003-2007 in the US.


Survival & Stage
The overall 5-year relative survival for 1999-2006 from 17 SEER geographic areas was 65.0%. Five-year relative survival by race and sex was: 66.0% for white men; 65.7% for white women; 55.6% for black men; 56.6% for black women.


The stage distribution is based on Summary Stage 2000.

Lifetime Risk
Based on rates from 2005-2007, 5.12% of men and women born today will be diagnosed with cancer of the colon and rectum at some time during their lifetime. This number can also be expressed as 1 in 20 men and women will be diagnosed with cancer of the colon and rectum during their lifetime. These statistics are called the lifetime risk of developing cancer. Sometimes it is more useful to look at the probability of developing cancer of the colon and rectum between two age groups. For example, 2.04% of men will develop cancer of the colon and rectum between their 50th and 70th birthdays compared to 1.53% for women.

Prevalence
On January 1, 2007, in the United States there were approximately 1,112,493 men and women alive who had a history of cancer of the colon and rectum -- 540,636 men and 571,857 women. This includes any person alive on January 1, 2007 who had been diagnosed with cancer of the colon and rectum at any point prior to January 1, 2007 and includes persons with active disease and those who are cured of their disease. Prevalence can also be expressed as a percentage and it can also be calculated for a specific amount of time prior to January 1, 2007 such as diagnosed within 5 years of January 1, 2007