Death from unsuspected colorectal cancer.

An analysis of all subjects undergoing autopsy in the Plymouth Health District over a 10-year period revealed 61 cases of unsuspected colorectal cancer. The carcinoma was the primary cause of death in 57 cases and surgical treatment for cure might have been possible in over one-half. The 61 subjects accounted for 4.1% of all cases of fatal colorectal cancer in this area. Examination by means of rectal digital palpation, rigid sigmoidoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy might have diagnosed 10, 24 and 41 carcinomas respectively. This study has demonstrated that a significant number of colorectal cancers remain undetected until after death. These cases should be included in future studies of colorectal cancer.