Background: Data on colorectal cancer (CRC) in sub-Saharan Africa is mainly based on hospital series which suggest low incidence and frequent early onset cancers. This study characterises colorectal cancer in a population-based cancer registry in Zimbabwe.
Methods: Cases of CRC recorded by the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry between 2003 and 2012 were analysed. Demographic and pathological characteristics were compared according to ethnicity and age. Trends in age standardised incidence rates (ASR) were determined.
Results: There were 886 and 216 cases of CRC among black Africans and Caucasians respectively, and 26% of the black Africans were younger than 40 years. Signet ring cell carcinomas were more common among black Africans compared to Caucasians (4% vs 1%, p=0.027). ASR increased by 1.9%/year and 3.9%/year among black African males and females respectively.
Conclusion: CRC incidence is rising among black Africans and has unique demographic and pathological characteristics.
Keywords: Africa south of the Sahara; Colorectal neoplasms; Incidence; Mucinous adenocarcinoma; Signet ring cell carcinoma; Zimbabwe.
Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.