Decadal Trends and Associated Factors of Colorectal Cancer in Kerala Between 2010 and 2021 Among Patients in a Tertiary Hospital-Based Cancer Registry

Introduction The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has notably risen on a global scale, owing to modifications in lifestyle patterns and the overconsumption of processed food to meet nutritional requirements. Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in India, with a significant number of new cases reported annually. The aim of our study is to examine the trends and association of CRC in Kerala between the years 2010-2021 among patients reporting at a tertiary Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) in Ernakulam. Methods A secondary data analysis was done using the data of CRC obtained from HBCR at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kochi. All the reported patients diagnosed with CRC between the years 2010 and 2021 and residing in Kerala were included in the study. A total of 2,995 patients were included in the analysis. Results CRC cases rose until 2016 and then slightly decreased. However, joinpoint regression analysis showed a consistent rate of 0.1 cases per year, with no significant increase. Adenocarcinoma emerged as a histological subtype, and the highest number of CRC cases was reported in the year 2018; the prevailing and lowest was reported in the year 2020. Age and sex showed statistically significant associations with the histology of CRC. Furthermore, associations were also seen between the site of the lesion and the age of the patient. Conclusion The trends of CRCs showed that the cases were stable at a rate of 0.1 per year, and there was no significant increase. Robust cancer registries are required to continuously monitor CRC trends and outcomes, facilitating evidence-based decision-making.