Brussels: The latest European health data revealed that hospitals across the European Union discharged approximately 4.9 million cancer patients in 2023.
According to Emirates News Agency, colorectal cancer was the most common diagnosis among these discharged patients, accounting for 554,112 cases, which is 11.2 percent of the total discharges. This was followed by lung cancer with around 506,372 cases (10.3 percent), and breast cancer, which had approximately 480,922 cases, making up about 9.7 percent.
In 18 EU countries, colorectal cancer emerged as the leading diagnosis for discharged resident in-patients battling cancer. The highest discharge rates for colorectal cancer were seen in Croatia with 360 discharges per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Latvia at 243, and Austria at 239. Conversely, Malta reported the lowest discharge rates with 31 patients per 100,000 inhabitants, with Luxembourg and Ireland following at 56 and 58, respectively.
A hospital discharge occurs when a patient is formally released after receiving care. The reasons for discharge can vary, including completion of treatment, patient-initiated sign-out against medical advice, transfer to another healthcare facility, or patient death.
