AdenoCA of Colon : Epidemiology

Comments:
Epidemiology: Colorectal adenocarcinoma is common in Europe and North America but less prevalent in Asia, Africa, and parts of South America. In the United States, it is the 3rd most common cancer among men and women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths (after lung cancer). It is responsible for 10% of all cancer deaths world-wide and 15% of cancer deaths in the US. The mean age at diagnosis is 60 to 70 years. Patients with one of the hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes manifest much earlier, usually by 5th decade.

This photograph of ascending colon specimen shows 1) a villous adenoma on the right of the image, giving rise to 2) an invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (gelatinous translucent area) seen on the lower left. Image Courtesy of : Ed Uthman, MD, Houston, Texas.