Differences in clinical outcomes in young-onset colorectal cancer based on ethnicity in an NCI designated comprehensive cancer center.

Abstract

3605 Background: Ethnic disparities can impact clinical outcomes of young-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We aimed to determine if differences in outcomes based on ethnicity exist in young–onset CRC treated at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center program. Methods: A retrospective chart review for stage II – IV young-onset CRC patients ≤45 years old diagnosed between 04/2011 and 11/2015. Patients had to undergo treatment at safety-net Parkland Hospital (PH) or at the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC) in Dallas, TX. Demographic data, dates of surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, recurrence or death were obtained. Results: Of 123 patients that met inclusion criteria, 15 were excluded due to incomplete information. Of the remaining 108 patients, 36 (33%) and 72 patients (67%) were treated at SCCC and PH, respectively. Sixty (55%) were non-Hispanic vs 48 (44.4%) Hispanic. There were more Stage IV patients at SCCC vs Parkland (58.3% vs 30.6%, p < 0.01) but there was no difference regarding ethnicity. Also, no significant difference was seen between non-Hispanic White (NHW), Hispanic, and Black patients in median days to colectomy (1 vs 13 vs 0; p = .402) or adjuvant chemotherapy (55.5 vs 53.0 vs 64.0 days, p = .820). Hispanic patients had significantly better overall survival (OS) than Black or NHW patients (p = 0.025). The OS benefit was driven by improved 5-year OS in stage II/III Hispanic vs NHW vs Black patients (95% vs 62% vs 60%; p = 0.06). Multivariate Cox Regression analysis showed stage II/III (p < 0.001) and Hispanic ethnicity (p < 0.001) were independently associated with improved outcomes. Conclusions: In young-onset CRC treated at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, Hispanic ethnicity had better OS than other ethnicities and this was largely due to better outcomes in stage II and III CRC. The causes for these ethnic differences in young-onset CRC patients needs further exploration. [Table: see text]