Hereclitary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cctncer in Egyptian Populcttion

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world in both sexes. Its incidence in the developed countries is almost double that in developing countries (Hamilton et al., 1995).

The incidence of colorectal cancer varies widely from 3, 4 cases per 100.000 in Nigeria to 35.8 cases per 100.000 in USA. Australia and Newzeland have a relatively high incidence of the diseases (Allen, 1998).

In USA, most cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in patients over the age of 50 years and the incidence of the disease rises steadily after that age. Despite the clear relationship with aging, colorectal cancer, is not strictly the disease of elderly : between 6 and 8% of cases occur iii individuals under the age of 40 (Allen, 1998).

Among Egyptian patients, carcinoma of the large bowel is the commonest of gastrointestinal tract tumours constituting 6, 8% of all cancers. However more than one third of patients are under the age of 40 years and about 60% are younger than 50 (Shawky et al., 1992).