Morbidity and mortality in colorectal cancer according to the level of care at the beginning of the diagnostic process

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed tumor worldwide, it ranks second in terms of mortality, survival varies depending on the clinical stage at diagnosis.It is therefore a problem of great importance and magnitude with significant health expenditure.Objective: To describe the differences in the morbidity and mortality of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer according to the place of study initiation (primary care vs. emergencies) and to evaluate the differences in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a geographic area after the implementation of the Prevecolon screening program.Method: Descriptive, observational, longitudinal and retrospective study, 1,110 patients diagnosed and treated for colorectal cancer were evaluated at the Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofa, from March 8, 2008 to December 31, 2021.results: Of the 1,110 patients, 628 (56.6%) came from primary care and 482 (43.4%) from the emergency department.Fifty percent of the patients were diagnosed in advanced stages (III and IV).The diagnostic delay time was shorter in Emergency patients (p < 0.001), but mortality was almost twice in patients whose study began in Emergencies (p < 0.001).conclusion: Patients who begin the study for colorectal cancer in the emergency department present the disease in more advanced stages and show greater morbidity and mortality than those whose study begins in Primary care.