- In 2022, 32,408 inpatient discharges and deaths were related to the malignant neoplasm of colon, rectum and anus, commonly known as colorectal cancer, which accounted for 12.8% of hospitalization due to all types of cancers.
Figure 1. Number of In-patient Discharges and Deaths due to Colorectal Cancer, 1993-2022
- Colorectal cancer has been the second leading cause of cancer death in Hong Kong for years. In 2022, 2,270 persons died from colorectal cancer, accounting for 15.4% of all cancer deaths. The crude death rates for male and female were 38.5 and 24.5 per 100,000 population of respective sex.
Figure 2. Number of Deaths and Crude Death Rate due to Colorectal Cancer, 1981-2022
- The age-standardised death rate for both sexes had an upward trend between 1981 and 2003. However, such trend was reversed over the past decade or so.
Figure 3. Age-standardized Death Rate due to Colorectal Cancer, 1981-2022
- In general, the age-specific death rates of colorectal cancer for both sexes increase with age. In 2022, the age-specific death rates of male were higher than those of female after age 50.
Figure 4. Age-specific Death Rate due to Colorectal Cancer, 2022
Note(s):
Classification of diseases and causes of death is based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) 10th Revision from 2001 onwards. Figures from 2001 onwards may not be comparable with figures for previous years which were compiled based on the ICD 9th Revision. Hence, caution should be exercised when interpreting the trend of diseases across 2000 and 2001.
Colorectal cancer corresponds to codes 153-154 in ICD-9 and C18-C21 in ICD-10.