Introduction: It is believed that increased detection of earlier stage colorectal cancer can only be achieved by screening asymptomatic individuals. We describe a referral pathway for a symptomatic population which achieves a 30% Dukes' A detection rate.
Patients and methods: From October 1999, 4253 patients with distal colonic symptoms, referred by general practitioners, completed a patient consultation questionnaire (PCQ) linked to a computerised record. A weighted numerical score (WNS) was derived for each patient. Patients underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy, a diagnostic outcome was recorded and later Dukes' stage appended. Early and advanced colorectal cancers were separated and PCQ derived symptom profiles compared. Chi-square, Fisher exact, Student's t-test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of 183 patients had cancer, 55 (30%) were Dukes' A early colorectal cancers, 112 were advanced colorectal cancers (Dukes' B-D) and 16 could not be staged. Early colorectal cancers had significant symptoms and comparable profile to advanced colorectal cancers. The tendency in advanced colorectal cancers was towards greater symptom prevalence for only a few primary and systemic symptoms, as reflected by a higher WNS of 75 (P = 0.001).
Conclusions: Early colorectal cancers do have significant symptoms which can easily be captured by a PCQ and objective scoring tool in the secondary care setting. Detection of these cancers has the potential to improve survival.