Colorectal carcinoma up to the second decade of life: An 8-year experience in a tertiary care center

Abstract

To evaluate the demographic pattern, incidence, and histological characteristics of colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) in very young adults diagnosed in the center. We retrieved and reviewed slides and data pertaining to all the cases of CRCs and "segregated into decade wise age-groups" from the archives of Department of Pathology. Patients with age ≤20 years diagnosed during the last 8 years (2006-2013) were further evaluated. Totally, 590 cases of CRCs diagnosed over last 8-year period, of which 4.2% (25 cases) presented in the study group (age ≤20 years) with a mean age of 17 years. About 50% of the tumors were either signet ring cell, mucin-secreting or poorly differentiated carcinomas. Four cases occurred in a background of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), three of which showed high-grade dysplasia, while in one case, carcinoma-in-situ was diagnosed. In all but two cases, rectum was the site of involvement except FAP cases in which colorectal location was noted. CRCs show a sharp rise in earlier age onset (≤40 years) and an increasing trend was followed in patients between age groups third, fourth, and fifth decades of life over the last 8 years. Colorectal carcinomas show an increasing trend in young age (≤40 years). This change may be attributed to dietary, lifestyle changes, and newer genetic alterations in developing countries. In very young age group (≤20 years), a higher grade and stage at the time of diagnosis and predominantly rectal involvements are the distinct features.