Young onset rectal cancer (YORC): a descriptive tertiary center analysis

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in adults under 50 is increasing worldwide, with young-onset rectal cancer (YORC) projected to represent up to 25% of rectal cancers by 2030. This study compared clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, and staging between YORC and late-onset rectal cancer (LORC) in a tertiary referral center. The primary objective was to assess differences in baseline disease stage, with secondary outcomes including short-term oncological endpoints.

All patients diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma between 2017 and 2024 were retrospectively analyzed and classified as YORC (<50 years) or LORC (≥50 years). Clinical, pathological, and radiologic staging features were compared. Mismatch repair (MMR) status was determined by immunohistochemistry, with MSI testing for MMR-deficient tumors. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in non-metastatic patients were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Median potential follow-up was estimated using the reverse Kaplan-Meier method.

Of 705 patients, 86 (12.2%) were YORC and 619 (87.8%) LORC. YORC patients more often presented with symptoms (91.9% vs 70.9%; p < 0.001), had better WHO performance status (score 0: 98.8% vs 82.5%; p = 0.002), and more frequently showed dMMR/MSI tumors (7.0% vs 1.3%; p = 0.001). Younger patients had higher rates of metastatic disease (22.1% vs 11.6%; p = 0.007), lymph-node involvement (73.8% vs 60.7%; p = 0.020), and extramural vascular invasion (40.1% vs 26.0%; p = 0.004), with no significant differences in T-stage or mesorectal fascia involvement. At the first MDT, YORC patients were more often selected for total neoadjuvant therapy or chemotherapy alone. Among non-metastatic patients, 3-year OS (93.6% vs 87.1%; p = 0.259) and DFS (77.8% vs 77.2%; p = 0.923) was not statistically different with a median potential follow-up of 3.85 years.

YORC presents more often with symptoms and advanced disease (M+, N+, EMVI+), yet short-term survival in non-metastatic patients tended to parallel that of older individuals. These findings underscore the need for earlier diagnosis, tailored management, and increased clinical awareness.