Patterns of metastasis in colon and rectal cancer

Investigating epidemiology of metastatic colon and rectal cancer is challenging, because cancer registries seldom record metastatic sites. We used a population based approach to assess metastatic spread in colon and rectal cancers. 49,096 patients with colorectal cancer were identified from the nationwide Swedish Cancer Registry. Metastatic sites were identified from the National Patient Register and Cause of Death Register. Rectal cancer more frequently metastasized into thoracic organs (OR = 2.4) and the nervous system (1.5) and less frequently within the peritoneum (0.3). Mucinous and signet ring adenocarcinomas more frequently metastasized within the peritoneum compared with generic adenocarcinoma (3.8…

• HY
  Helsingin Yliopisto
• DK
  Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
• LU
  Lunds Universitet
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet
• DK
  Deutsche Krebshilfe