Three epidemiological characteristics of rectal cancer

Rectal cancer refers to a tumor that occurs between the junction of the sigmoid colon and rectum and the dentate line. It is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract and ranks second among digestive tract cancers. Compared with Westerners, rectal cancer in Chinese people has the following three epidemiological characteristics:

1. The incidence of rectal cancer is higher than that of colon cancer

Rectal cancer and colon cancer both belong to the category of colorectal cancer. The incidence of rectal cancer is relatively high among Chinese people, with the incidence ratio of rectal cancer to colon cancer being 3:2.

2. Low rectal cancer accounts for a high proportion

The upper end of the rectum connects to the sigmoid colon at the plane of the third sacral vertebra, descends through the sacrum and the front of the coccyx, passes through the pelvic diaphragm and moves to the anal canal. The total length is about 10 to 14 cm. Low rectal cancer refers to cancer within 5 cm of the dentate line; mid rectal cancer refers to cancer 5 to 10 cm from the dentate line; high rectal cancer refers to cancer more than 10 cm from the dentate line. The proportion of low rectal cancer in Chinese people is about 65% to 75%, and lumps can usually be felt during rectal examination.

3. A high proportion of young patients

Young patients with rectal cancer under the age of 30 account for about 10% to 15% of all patients, which is higher than in other countries. The prognosis of rectal cancer is relatively good, with a total 5-year survival rate of more than 60% after radical resection, and a 5-year survival rate of 80% to 90% after surgery for early rectal cancer. In recent years, due to the widespread use of digestive tract staplers, many rectal cancer patients who originally needed colostomy have been spared the pain of artificial anus, improving the quality of life of patients.