Prevalencia de la mutación del gen KRAS y características asociadas en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal atendidos en el Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA Cuenca entre 2018 y 2022

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer globally, and the second leading cause of mortality. In Ecuador, it ranks fourth in incidence and third in mortality. KRAS mutation is the most frequent (45%) in colorectal cancer. Prevalence studies are scarce in Ecuador, hence the need for them. Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics associated with KRAS gene mutation in patients with colorectal cancer treated at the SOLCA Cuenca Cancer Institute between 2018 and 2022. Method: An observational, analytical, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the SOLCA Cuenca Cancer Institute. The study population included all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who underwent a KRAS detection test between 2018 and 2022. Results: A total of 152 patients were included, with 52% being women; the mean age was 62.01 years, and 78.3% were over 50 years old; 63.2% of the patients originated from Azuay province, and 70.4% resided there; KRAS mutation was present in 68 out of 152 cases (44.7%); the most common clinicalpathological stage was IV A (18.4%); the most frequent primary tumor location was in the rectum (34.9%); a higher frequency of KRAS mutation was evidenced in tumors of the descending colon (p=0.030). Conclusions: The prevalence was within the range established by the literature, and there was no association between age, sex, residence, origin, or clinical stage. However, an association was found between KRAS mutation and localization in the descending colon. study. Additionally, an association with clinical and sociodemographic factors is expected.