Adenocarcinoma of the rectum in patients under age 40 is increasing: Impact of signet ring cell histology

Abstract

RESULTS: although the incidence of rectal cancer for all ages remained stable from 1980 to 2010, we observed an annual percent change of +3.6% in the incidence of rectal cancer in patients under 40. the prevalence of signet cell histology in patients under 40 was significantly greater than in patients over 40 (3% vs 0.87%, p < 0.01). a multivariate regression analysis revealed an adjusted odds ratio of 3.6 (95% Ci, 2.6–5.1) for signet cell histology in rectal adenocarcinoma under age 40. signet cell histology was also significantly associated with a more advanced stage at presentation, poorly differentiated tumor grade, and worse prognosis compared with mucinous and nonmucinous rectal adenocarcinoma.