Prevalence of colorectal cancer and survival in patients from the Gampaha District, North Colombo region.

Introduction: The prevalence and survival of colorectal cancer in Sri Lankans has not been previously reported. We did a retrospective and a prospective survey, in the region of North Colombo, Sri Lanka between 1992 and 2004. The aim was to study cancer burden, sites of colorectal cancer and survival after surgery.

Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer down-stages the tumor but reduces lymph node harvest significantly.

Purpose: The impact of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for rectal cancer on lymph node yield is not well known. This study evaluates the impact of NAT on tumor regression and lymph node harvest.

Methods: The subjects were 40 patients with rectal cancer; 20 receiving high-dose, long-course neoadjuvant therapy, and 20 age- and sex-matched controls who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy.