Age- and gender-specific characteristics of the course of acute intestinal obstruction caused by colorectal cancer (a retrospective study)

Acute intestinal obstruction (AIO) of neoplastic origin is one of the most complex emergency conditions in abdominal surgery. This condition is associated with late diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), high rates of postoperative complications and mortality, particularly in patients of various age groups. The study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the clinical and oncological characteristics of patients with AIO caused by CRC. A retrospective comparative analysis was conducted of the medical records of 112 patients who were treated at the Municipal Emergency Hospital for acute pancreatitis verified as a complication of CRC. The study confirmed that acute kidney injury is predominantly a problem among elderly patients (mean age 70.9 ± 1.02 years). In the age groups up to 45 years, 45-59.9 years and 60-75 years, the proportion of men was 66.7%, 54.5% and 65%, respectively, in contrast to the group over 75 years, where the proportion of men was 28.9%. Analysis by age group revealed significant differences. The age group over 75 years had the highest proportion of women (71.1%). Patients in the 45-59.9 years group had the highest mortality rate (36.4%), indicating an aggressive course of the disease. Patients in the 60-75 age group constituted most cases (53.6%); their mortality rate was 10%, and they had the lowest incidence of stage IV cancer. In the under-45 age group (2.7% of all patients), the mortality rate was zero; however, a high percentage of advanced stages was noted (100% had stage III-IV disease). Across the entire cohort, 93.8% of patients had stage III-IV disease; a stoma was created in 60.7% of cases, and the overall mortality rate was 17.0%. The study established that acute intestinal obstruction of tumour aetiology is predominantly a complication of advanced (stage III-IV, 93.8%) colorectal cancer, the course, surgical management and mortality rate of which exhibit marked gender- and age-specific characteristics