Retard diagnostique et morbidité périoperatoire dans le cancer colorectal révélé par l’anémie ferriprive

Abstract

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a frequent presenting sign of colorectal cancer (CRC) and may contribute to delayed diagnosis, especially in settings without organized screening.

This study assessed whether IDA is associated with diagnostic delay, adverse tumor characteristics, and perioperative outcomes.

Methods : A retrospective cohort of 238 patients undergoing elective CRC surgery (2022–2024) was analyzed. Patients were classified according to the presence of IDA.

Clinical, tumor-related, and postoperative variables were compared, and multivariate analyses identified independent predictors.

Results : IDA was present in 70.1% of patients and was associated with a longer delay to colonoscopy (7 vs 4 months; p < 0.0001), more frequent right-sided tumors, larger tumor size, and increased transfusion needs.

IDA independently predicted prolonged hospitalization, diagnostic delay, larger tumors, and preoperative transfusion.

Postoperative morbidity was similar between groups.

Conclusion : IDA is an independent marker of delayed diagnosis and tumor progression in CRC.

Early recognition of IDA, systematic completion of diagnostic colonoscopy, and implementation of effective CRC screening strategies may reduce diagnostic delays and improve surgical outcomes.