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ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Patterns of Care in Colorectal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis from a Rural Cohort

Authors: Shahid Bashir Wani , Ashfaq Hafiz , Ishtiyaq Ahmad Dar , Shahid Rashid;

Patterns of Care in Colorectal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis from a Rural Cohort

Abstract

Background: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is an increasing public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, where rural populations often experience delayed diagnosis and fragmented care. Real-world data on patterns of care from such settings remain limited. Methods: This retrospective observational study evaluated 140 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed CRC treated between 2019 and 2023 at a tertiary care center serving a predominantly rural population. Demographic characteristics, stage at presentation, tumor site, treatment modalities, tumor marker response, and survival outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The cohort comprised 94 men (67.1%) and 46 women (32.9%), with a mean age at diagnosis of 57 years. All patients were from rural areas. Advanced disease at presentation was common, with stage III (41.4%) and stage IV (17.1%) accounting for the majority; only 12.8% presented with stage I disease. The rectum was the most frequent primary site (30%), followed by the transverse (24.3%) and ascending colon (21.4%). Systemic chemotherapy formed the backbone of treatment, most commonly CAPEOX (50%), while 28.6% received radiotherapy, largely for rectal or locally advanced disease. A high proportion of patients (37.1%) were lost to follow-up, and 25.7% required multiple lines of chemotherapy. Mean overall survival was 20.7 months and mean disease-free survival was 9.7 months. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels showed a marked post-treatment decline, indicating partial biochemical response. Conclusions: This study highlights substantial gaps in CRC care in rural settings, characterized by late-stage presentation, treatment discontinuity, and limited survival outcomes. Strengthening early detection strategies, improving access to multidisciplinary oncology services, and ensuring continuity of follow-up are critical to improving outcomes for rural CRC populations. These findings underscore the need for context-specific health system interventions to reduce rural–urban disparities in colorectal cancer care

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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Cancer Research