Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer is a common and lethal disease with 5000 new cases reported each year in Iran. This study was done to estimate the 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence of colorectal cancer in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study we studied the follow-up of 2342 patients with colorectal cancer documented in the cancer registry in Iran during a time period of 4 years from March 2001 to March 2005. One-year, 2-3 year and 4-5 year point prevalence were estimated from incidence rates in different years and proportion of patients surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years after diagnosis. Results: Proportion of cases surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years from diagnosis were 79.2% , 65.08%, 57.36%, 51.76% and 48.87% respectively. Estimation of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years were 4156, 5715 and 4283 cases, respectively. Cumulative 5 year prevalence was 13954 cases. Conclusion: Estimates of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years are necessary for the evaluation of initial treatment, clinical follow-up and point of cure, and also for identification of patients who need further social support or health care. Therefore 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence estimation are necessary in health service planning for cancer management. Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer is a common and lethal disease with 5000 new cases reported each year in Iran. This study was done to estimate the 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence of colorectal cancer in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study we studied the follow-up of 2342 patients with colorectal cancer documented in the cancer registry in Iran during a time period of 4 years from March 2001 to March 2005. One-year, 2-3 year and 4-5 year point prevalence were estimated from incidence rates in different years and proportion of patients surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years after diagnosis. Results: Proportion of cases surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years from diagnosis were 79.2% , 65.08%, 57.36%, 51.76% and 48.87% respectively. Estimation of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years were 4156, 5715 and 4283 cases, respectively. Cumulative 5 year prevalence was 13954 cases. Conclusion: Estimates of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years are necessary for the evaluation of initial treatment, clinical follow-up and point of cure, and also for identification of patients who need further social support or health care. Therefore 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence estimation are necessary in health service planning for cancer management.

Keywords: Prevalence; Colorectal Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Cancer; Iran.

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