Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Little is known about the major presenting features of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in a population-based setting, especially regarding bleeding-related symptoms.
To determine the proportion of CRC patients presenting with bleeding-related symptoms, to compare bleeders and nonbleeders and to explore the role of anticoagulants in bleeders.
This was a nationwide, population-based, retrospective study, investigating all patients diagnosed with CRC in Iceland from 2008 to 2011. Bleeding-related symptoms were defined as overt bleeding, iron deficiency anaemia or a positive faecal occult blood test. Obstructive symptoms were defined as a confirmed diagnosis of ileus or dilated intestines on imaging.
Data were available for 472/496 (95%) patients, males 51%, mean age 69 (±13) years. In all, 348 (74%) patients had bleeding-related symptoms; of these 348 patients, 61% had overt bleeding. Bleeders were less likely than nonbleeders to have metastases at diagnosis, 19% vs. 34% (P