ISSN 0303-5212
 

Original Research
Online Published: 24 Aug 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 978-982


Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience

Zain Tayyab, Mariam Tahir Siddiqi, Sana Hussain, Nazia Adress, Kinza Farooq Hafiza Sobia Ramzan.


Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the clinical and pathological features, treatment approaches, and survival outcomes of patients with SBA in the Afghan population.
Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted at Shaukat Khanam Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Lahore, from January 2015 to December 2024. A total of 110 patients were diagnosed with histologically confirmed SBA. Demographic variables, tumor characteristics, surgical intent, chemotherapy use, and survival outcomes were recorded.
Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 46.2±13.8 years, with 69.1% being male. The duodenum was the most common primary site (50.0%). Most tumors were moderately differentiated (48.2%), and 18.2% were node positive. Curative resection was achieved in 25.5% of patients, while 44.5% received adjuvant chemotherapy, most commonly CAPOX. Node-positive disease was associated with significantly shorter OS (median 9.0 vs. 16.0 months; p=0.047). Patients undergoing curative resection had markedly improved OS compared with those receiving non-curative or no resection (median 38.0 vs. 9.0 months; p=0.002). Distant metastases were the most common recurrence pattern (46.4%). Median DFS was 0.0 months, and median OS was 12.0 months.
Conclusion: SBA in the Afghan population is present at a younger age and at advanced stages, with low rates of curative resection. Lymph node involvement and non-resectability are strong predictors of poor survival.

Key words: Colorectal cancer, adenocarcinoma, adjuvant chemotherapy, recurrence; disease-free survival, CAPOX regimen.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Tayyab Z, Siddiqi MT, Hussain S, Adress N, Ramzan KFHS. Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 978-982.


Web Style

Tayyab Z, Siddiqi MT, Hussain S, Adress N, Ramzan KFHS. Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=296379 [Access: November 11, 2026].


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Tayyab Z, Siddiqi MT, Hussain S, Adress N, Ramzan KFHS. Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 978-982.



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Tayyab Z, Siddiqi MT, Hussain S, Adress N, Ramzan KFHS. Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 978-982.



Harvard Style

Tayyab, Z., Siddiqi, . M. T., Hussain, . S., Adress, . N. & Ramzan, . K. F. H. S. (2026) Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience. RMJ, 51 (4), 978-982.



Turabian Style

Tayyab, Zain, Mariam Tahir Siddiqi, Sana Hussain, Nazia Adress, and Kinza Farooq Hafiza Sobia Ramzan. 2026. Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 978-982.



Chicago Style

Tayyab, Zain, Mariam Tahir Siddiqi, Sana Hussain, Nazia Adress, and Kinza Farooq Hafiza Sobia Ramzan. "Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 978-982.



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Tayyab, Zain, Mariam Tahir Siddiqi, Sana Hussain, Nazia Adress, and Kinza Farooq Hafiza Sobia Ramzan. "Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 978-982. Print.



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Tayyab, Z., Siddiqi, . M. T., Hussain, . S., Adress, . N. & Ramzan, . K. F. H. S. (2026) Colorectal cancer in Afghan population: Insight from a single center’s experience. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 978-982.