Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine the epidemiologic characteristics of colorectal cancer among elderly patient in ten cities and counties in China. MethodsThe incidence, gender, age, location (city versus county) time distribution and epidemiologic trends of colorectal cancer among elderly patient ( age 65 years) from 1988 to 2002 in ten cities and counties in China were analyzed. ResultsAmong a total of 312 330 727 person years registered in the ten cities/counties, 62 793 newly emerging colorectal cancer cases were reported with an incidence of 20.10/lakh, of which 33 906 cases of elderly patients were reported, the incidence being 113.16/lakh, accounting for 54.00% of all colorectal cancer cases. The incidence of colon cancer and rectal cancer was 49.81/lakh and 63.35/lakh, respectively, accounting for 44.01％ and 55.99％ of all colorectal cancer, respectively. There were 35 545 death cases of colorectal cancer, the mortality being 11.38/lakh. In elderly patients, there were 22 753 death cases with the mortality of 75.92/lakh, accounting for 64.01% of all death cases of colorectal cancer. The mortality of colon cancer and rectal cancer was 37.09/lakh and 38.86/lakh, respectively. The incidence and mortality in male elderly patients were 30.23% and 27.53% higher than those in female patients, respectively. The incidence of the elderly in urban areas was 457% of the one in rural areas, and the mortality in urban areas 366% of the one in rural areas. An ascending trend was shown in the incidence and mortality in elderly patients of colorectal cancer from 1988 to 2002. ConclusionThe elderly have become the high risk group of colorectal cancer. Therefore, social attention shall be paid to the prevention and control of colorectal cancer for the elderly.