Current Colorectal Cancer in Thailand

This article aimed to summarize the current status of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Thailand. In brief, CRC is the third most common cancer and accounts for 11% of the cancer burden in Thailand. It is the only malignancy with an increased incidence in both sexes in Thailand. Over 10,000 new CRC cases occur annually, and about 40% are rectal cancer. Due to the lack of CRC screening and public awareness, nonmetastatic cancer accounts only for 60%–70% of overall cases. The demand for general or colorectal surgeons outmatches the supply at a ratio of 1 general surgeon to 35,000 individuals. There are about 70 board-certified colorectal surgeons serving Thailand’s population of nearly 70 million. As a result, >25% of cancer patients wait more than 1 month before surgery. Regarding training for colorectal surgery, there are 3 major institutes in Bangkok providing a 2-year fellowship program. Cadaveric workshops are an important part of training – especially in laparoscopy for CRC. Recently, a population-based CRC screening program was launched using a fecal immunochemical test. The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand has established additional platforms for laparoscopy to support the potential detection of early CRC following implementation of this nationwide screening program.