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Colorectal Cancer Trends of 2018 in Romania—an Important Geographical Variation Between Northern and Southern Lands and High Mortality Versus European Averages

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Abstract

Purpose

In Romania, one of the highest rates for colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in Europe was estimated based on data available in 2008. Ever since, consistent data are missing. In this article, we tried to estimate the general burden of CRC in our country.

Methods

We collected data from all hospitalized recorded cases according to the ICD-10 revision (codes C18–C20), as both primary and secondary diagnoses, as reported by all the hospitals to the DRG National System, between 2016 and 2018.

Results

There were 50,890 persons hospitalized with CRC. The prevalence of hospitalized colorectal cancer was 108.24/100,000 inhabitants in 2016, 113.09/100,000 inhabitants in 2017, and 116.83/100,000 inhabitants in 2018. Distal localization prevailed. We registered 34.13/100,000 deaths by CRC within the mentioned period of time, almost twofold higher than average European range. There are significant geographical differences regarding CRC prevalence and mortality, with higher rates in the Northern and Central Regions, and a very low prevalence and mortality in Bucharest and Southern provinces.

Conclusion

We note a high colorectal mortality rate in Romania, especially in the Northern and Central Regions, nearly double versus European ranges.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, “Elias” Emergency University Hospital, 17th Blvd. Marasti, 011461, Bucharest, Romania

    Elena Mirela Ionescu, Cristian George Tieranu, Dana Maftei, Adriana Grivei, Andrei Ovidiu Olteanu, Tudor Arbanas & Valentin Calu

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

    Elena Mirela Ionescu, Tudor Arbanas & Valentin Calu

  3. The National School of Public Health, Management and Professional Development, Bucharest, Romania

    Simona Musat & Constanta Mihaescu-Pintia

  4. Medigate, Bucharest, Romania

    Ionut Cristian Cucu

Authors
  1. Elena Mirela Ionescu
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  2. Cristian George Tieranu
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  3. Dana Maftei
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  4. Adriana Grivei
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  5. Andrei Ovidiu Olteanu
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  6. Tudor Arbanas
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  7. Valentin Calu
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  8. Simona Musat
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  9. Constanta Mihaescu-Pintia
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  10. Ionut Cristian Cucu
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Contributions

Mirela Ionescu contributed to the conceptualization, literature search, and writing of the article, and performed the interpretation and analysis of the data. Ionut Cristian Cucu performed the statistical analysis, data interpretation, and drafting of the manuscript. Dana Maftei performed the literature search and drafting of the manuscript. Adriana Grivei helped in the literature search and revised the manuscript. Cristian Tieranu helped in the data interpretation and revised the manuscript. Andrei Olteanu performed the literature search and drafting of the manuscript. Tudor Arbanas assisted in the interpretation of study findings and revised the manuscript. Valentin Calu oversaw the study, including the study design, and revised the manuscript. Simona Musat participated in the study design, database query, and electronic data linkage. Constanta Mihaescu-Pintia contributed to the conceptualization, data analysis, and manuscript revision.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cristian George Tieranu.

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The authors declare that they no conflict of interest.

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Ethics Approval

The present study has received approval from the local ethics committee of the National School of Public Health, Management and Professional Development, Bucharest, with registration number 2625 of 18 June 2019.

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Ionescu, E.M., Tieranu, C.G., Maftei, D. et al. Colorectal Cancer Trends of 2018 in Romania—an Important Geographical Variation Between Northern and Southern Lands and High Mortality Versus European Averages. J Gastrointest Canc 52, 222–228 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-020-00382-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-020-00382-3

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