Clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer patients under 30 years of age.

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer death in the world and is estimated to have been responsible for almost 935,000 deaths during 2020.

Objective: Describe clinicopathological features, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in CRC patients under 30 years.

Method: This is a retrospective cohort study in patients under 30 years diagnosed with CRC.

Results: From 2017 to 2021, 1823 patients were diagnosed with CRC, of which 54 (2.96%) were under 30 years. The OS, during 4 years, was 41.5%. The clinical stage found IV (hazard ratio [HR]: 6.212; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.504-15.414; p < 0.001), giving neoadjuvant therapy (HR: 0.705; 95% CI: 0.499-0.996; p = 0.047) and no medical history of Lynch syndrome (HR: 3.925; 95% CI: 1.355-11.364; p = 0.012) are independent predictors of mortality. The PFS, during 4 years, was 21.3%. Clinical stage IV (HR: 2.418; 95% CI: 1.000-5.850; p < 0.050), and no diagnosis of Lynch syndrome (HR: 3.800; 95% CI: 1.398-10.326; p = 0.009) are independent predictors.

Conclusions: Younger patients are usually diagnosed with CRC in advanced stages. Early symptoms and evaluation, irrespective of age, are crucial.