The Increasing Incidence of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Call to Action

• Published in: Mayo Clinic proceedings Vol. 89; no. 2; pp. 216 - 224
• Main Authors: Ahnen, Dennis J., MD, Wade, Sally W., MPH, Jones, Whitney F., MD, Sifri, Randa, MD, Mendoza Silveiras, Jose, MD, Greenamyer, Jasmine, MPH, Guiffre, Stephanie, MPA, Axilbund, Jennifer, MS, Spiegel, Andrew, JD, You, Y. Nancy, MD, MHSc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.02.2014; Elsevier, Inc; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age of Onset; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cancer; Care and treatment; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Colorectal Neoplasms - mortality; Diagnosis; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Incidence; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Prevention; Registries; Risk factors; Survival Rate; United States - epidemiology; United States; colorectal cancer; annual percent change; HR; MSS; primary care physician; APC; FAP; CRC; FDR; first-degree relative; hazard ratio; SEER; Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results; familial adenomatous polyposis; microsatellite stable; PCP
• ISSN: 0025-6196; 1942-5546
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.09.006

Abstract In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and second most lethal cancer. More than one-tenth of CRC cases (11% of colon cancers and 18% of rectal cancers) have a young onset (ie, occurring in individuals younger than 50 years). The CRC incidence and mortality rates are decreasing among all age groups older than 50 years, yet increasing in younger individuals for whom screening use is limited and key symptoms may go unrecognized. Familial syndromes account for approximately 20% of young-onset CRCs, and the remainder are typically microsatellite stable cancers, which are more commonly diploid than similar tumors in older individuals. Young-onset CRCs are more likely to occur in the distal colon or rectum, be poorly differentiated, have mucinous and signet ring features, and present at advanced stages. Yet, stage-specific survival in patients with young-onset CRC is comparable to that of patients with later-onset cancer. Primary care physicians have an important opportunity to identify high-risk young individuals for screening and to promptly evaluate CRC symptoms. Risk modification, targeted screening, and prophylactic surgery may benefit individuals with a predisposing hereditary syndrome or condition (eg, inflammatory bowel disease) or a family history of CRC or advanced adenomatous polyps. When apparently average-risk young adults present with CRC-like symptoms (eg, unexplained persistent rectal bleeding, anemia, and abdominal pain), endoscopic work-ups can expedite diagnosis. Early screening in high-risk individuals and thorough diagnostic work-ups in symptomatic young adults may improve young-onset CRC trends.