Is Colorectal Cancer in Young (<40 Years) Different from those in the Elderly (>40 Years): Experience from a Regional Care Center.

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered a disease of elderly. There has been a steady decrease in the incidence in those aged >50 years, with an alarming increase noted in adults aged <50 years.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 89 patients diagnosed with CRC aged <40 years between the years 2010 and 2014. Their clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes were studied.

RESULTS

The median age was 33 years with a male preponderance (56.2%). Most common symptoms were lower gastrointestinal bleed (48.3%) followed by abdominal pain (46.1%). Most common sites were rectum (50.6%) followed by colon. Histology in all was adenocarcinoma. Most tumors were moderately differentiated (54%) and were stage 4 (36%). Most common sites of metastases were liver (46.9%) followed by peritoneum and ovaries. Majority underwent surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy, with/without radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was administered in 70 patients, majority receiving FOLFOX-4 regimen (88.6%). Median survival was 23 months. Survival in early stage[1],[2] was significantly higher than in advanced stages (3 and above), 34 and 19 months ( = 0.0287), in those aged >40 years compared to <40-35 versus 23 months ( = 0.0029), nonmetastatic compared to metastatic disease - 26 versus 14 months ( = 0.00196), and females compared to males - 26 and 18 months ( = 0.0242). There was no significant difference in survival with respect to tumor grade or site of metastases (hepatic versus extrahepatic).

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal carcinoma in young seems to be an emerging problem in India. Any young patient presenting with symptoms suggestive of a colonic malignancy should be evaluated promptly and treated aggressively.