Clinico-epidemiological profile and treatment outcome in adolescents and young patients of rectal cancer attending a...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Public Health

Background:

• Colorectal cancer incidence is rising in young adults, presenting with more aggressive disease and poorer prognosis.
• Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with rectal cancer represent a unique patient subgroup requiring specific clinical attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of rectal cancer in AYAs at a North Indian tertiary cancer center.
• To identify key factors influencing survival in young patients diagnosed with rectal cancer.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 50 patients (age ≤ 30 years) with histologically confirmed rectal cancer treated between 2015-2019.
• Evaluation of clinical, demographic, and pathological parameters.
• Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariate analysis to determine prognostic factors.

Main Results:

• Rectal cancer incidence in AYAs was 26.4% at the center, with a median age of 28 years.
• Common symptoms included rectal bleeding; signet ring cell histology was prevalent (26%).
• Survival was significantly better with early rectal bleeding presentation, absence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI), complete treatment, and radiotherapy (RT) (50.4 Gy optimal dose).

Conclusions:

• Most young patients present with advanced-stage rectal cancer.
• Timely investigation of rectal bleeding in young individuals is crucial for early detection.
• Complete treatment, particularly radiotherapy, is paramount for improving survival outcomes in AYAs with rectal cancer.