Hospital prevalence of colorectal cancer in Butembo: a retrospective study at Matanda Hospital

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a significant global health burden, ranking as the third most common cancer diagnosed worldwide and the second leading cause of mortality. This study seeks to address this knowledge gap by examining the demographic and clinical characteristics of CRC patients treated at Matanda Hospital, in Butembo, Est DR Congo. Methods this was a retrospective study of medical records of patients diagnosed with CRC at Matanda Hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Results The data obtained from Matanda Hospital for the years 2020 to 2022 indicates that out of 4079 patients who sought consultation in the surgery department, 30 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, constituting 0.74% of the total patients. The majority of the affected individuals were male, aged 30 and above, and a significant proportion were farmers with a primary school education. Most patients with colorectal cancer presented with abdominal pain, with the sigmoid colon being the most commonly affected organ. Chemotherapy was administered in 30% of cases, while excision and stomas were performed in 53.33% and 46.67% of cases, respectively. A majority of patients (76.67%) had a hospitalization duration of less than 1 month, and 63.33% showed improvement in their condition whereas 10.0% died. Conclusion The concern of colorectal cancer persists in Butembo. Further research is necessary to determine the true epidemiology of the disease in the town.