[Age as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer treatment]

Aging of the population leads to increasing the numbers of patients requiring surgical interventions. Though highest incidence of colorectal cancer occurs in the age range between 60-70 years, the incidence of colorectal cancer in the age group below 40 years has been also increasing. In this age group the course of the disease and prognosis are different than in the patients over 60 years of age. The authors are analysing data from the study protocols of 1332 patients operated for colorectal cancer at our Department of Surgery between 1984-2000. The results obtained in 3 age groups were compared: group I--patients < or = 40 years (n = 56), group II patients between 41-70 years (n = 944), group III > 70 years (n = 332). No significant differences related to the stage of the disease and the number of asymptomatic patients were observed between groups. The patients below 40 years had more lesions of multiple type, and the number of emergency procedures was lower. The number of resective procedures was the highest in this group similarly as the rates of recurrent disease, either local or systemic. The patterns of five-year survival in the age group below 40 years and over 70 were similar. Colorectal cancer in the patients below 40 years of age has poor prognosis, however long-term survivals are similar as in the patients over 70 years. Due to the lack of concomitant diseases in the patients with colorectal cancer below 40 years, prognosis in this group is the worst.