Clinicopathological Characteristics, Tumor Marker Profile, and Hepatic Metastasis Patterns in Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study at a Regional Oncology Center in the Dominican Republic (2018-2022)

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. In developing regions, late-stage presentation continues to contribute to a higher burden of metastatic disease. This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological characteristics, tumor marker profile, and frequency of hepatic metastasis among patients diagnosed with CRC at a regional oncology center in the Dominican Republic. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted, including 96 patients with histopathologically confirmed colorectal cancer diagnosed between January 2018 and May 2022. Demographic characteristics, primary tumor location, clinical stage, tumor marker levels (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)), and the presence of hepatic metastasis were analyzed. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Results Older age and male sex predominated within the study population. Rectal tumors were the most frequent primary location. A substantial proportion of patients were diagnosed at advanced stages, particularly stages III and IV. Hepatic metastasis occurred exclusively among patients with stage IV disease. Conclusions In this study, CRC frequently presented at intermediate or advanced stages and predominantly affected older male patients. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and comprehensive staging strategies to reduce metastatic burden in resource-limited settings.