Journal article
Characteristics and symptomatology of colorectal cancer in the young
Surgery, Vol.173(5), pp.1137-1143
05/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.01.018
PMCID: PMC10116569
PMID: 36872174
Abstract
The incidence of colorectal cancer in patients <50 years has rapidly risen recently. Understanding the presenting symptoms may facilitate earlier diagnosis. We aimed to delineate patient characteristics, symptomatology, and tumor characteristics of colorectal cancer in a young population.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted evaluating patients <50 years diagnosed between 2005 and 2019 with primary colorectal cancer at a university teaching hospital. The number and character of colorectal cancer–related symptoms at presentation was the primary outcome measured. Patient and tumor characteristics were also collected.
Included were 286 patients with a median age of 44 years, with 56% <45 years. Nearly all patients (95%) were symptomatic at presentation, with 85% having 2 or more symptoms. The most common symptoms were pain (63%), followed by change in stool habits (54%), rectal bleeding (53%), and weight loss (32%). Diarrhea was more common than constipation. More than 50% had symptoms for at least 3 months before diagnosis. The number and duration of symptoms were similar in patients older than 45 compared to those younger. Most cancers were left-sided (77%) and advanced stage at presentation (36% stage III, 39% stage IV).
In this cohort of young patients with colorectal cancer, the majority presented with multiple symptoms having a median duration of 3 months. It is essential that providers be mindful of the ever-increasing incidence of colorectal malignancy in young patients, and that those with multiple, durable symptoms should be offered screening for colorectal neoplasms based on symptoms alone.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Characteristics and symptomatology of colorectal cancer in the young
- Creators
- Mary K Skalitzky (Author) - Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IAPeige Zhou (Author) - Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FLPaolo Goffredo - Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MNKristina L Guyton - Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IAScott K ShermanIrena Gribovskaja-Rupp - Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IAImran Hassan - Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IAMuneera R Kapadia - Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NCJennifer Hrabe (Corresponding Author) - Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Surgery, Vol.173(5), pp.1137-1143
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.surg.2023.01.018
- PMID
- 36872174
- PMCID
- PMC10116569
- NLM abbreviation
- Surgery
- ISSN
- 0039-6060
- eISSN
- 1532-7361
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 03/03/2023
- Date published
- 05/2023
- Academic Unit
- Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Surgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984439360302771
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