Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.5082
Revised: February 27, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Processing time: 79 Days and 1.3 Hours
AIM: To investigate the relevant prognostic factors and their differences between colorectal cancer (CRC) patients of Chinese Han and Hui ethnicities in the Beijing region.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 880 patients diagnosed with CRC at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University between September 2001 and September 2011 was performed. Among the 880 patients, 398 and 482 were Hui and Han, respectively. Characteristics including sex, age, diet, tumor size, primary tumor site, Dukes’ stage and degree of differentiation were analyzed for their influence on prognosis. Data on dietary structures were recorded through a questionnaire survey conducted during the patient’s first visit, return visit or follow-up checkups.
RESULTS: Among patients with colon cancer, the 5-year survival rate for patients of Hui ethnicity was lower than that for Han patients (P = 0.025). Six risk factors (age of onset, dietary structure, tumor size, Dukes’ stage, location of cancer and degree of differentiation) in both Han and Hui patients were identified as prognostic factors (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age of onset (P = 0.002), diet (P = 0.000), Dukes’ stage (P = 0.000) and degree of differentiation (P = 0.000) are prognostic factors affecting both ethnic groups. Comparison of prognostic factors between Han and Hui patients with CRC showed that dietary structure was a statistically significant factor, and diet varied significantly between the two ethnic groups.
CONCLUSION: Dietary structure has a significant influence on colon cancer prognosis among Han and Hui patients with colon cancer in Beijing, which may cause a difference in their survival rates.
Core tip: Beijing is one of the cities with a high incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China. No prior investigation has been made, based on Han and Hui ethnicities in the Beijing region. Our study compares the clinical features and prognosis of CRC patients of these two ethnicities. The results showed a difference in the 5-year survival rate between the two ethnicities, which may be contributed by various risk factors like age, sex and dietary habits. This is the first retrospective study conducted in Beijing region to investigate the clinical features and prognosis of CRC patients of two major ethnicities, Han and Hui.