Colorectal adenocarcinoma in childhood and adolescent. Report of 11 cases and review of the literature.

Eleven new cases of colorectal carcinoma in children (0-15 years of age) are added to the 212 cases already described in the literature. Mucinous adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological type. Acute abdominal obstruction was the most frequent presentation. A radiologic diagnosis of malignancy was made in only six of eleven cases. The interval between onset of clinical symptoms and diagnosis ranged from two days to one year. Duration of symptoms, pathologic findings, stage, and prognosis differed markedly as compared with adult colorectal carcinomas. In spite of its rarity, colorectal malignancies may occur in children.