Epidemiological features of the young cases with colorectal carcinoma in Bursa

Abstract

Colorectal Carcinoma usually appears in patients over 60 years old. However all the series communicate a small percentage of cases in young patients. We reviewed all colorectal cancer patients diagnosed in our city hospitals to determine the true incidence of large bowel cancer in young patients. During the period of 1984-1998 a total of 1156 patients were reviewed. Patients of 40 and younger were matched with patients over 40 year of age. The incidence of colorectal cancer in patients 40 and younger was 212 (18.3%). 114 (53.7%) were male and 98 (46.3%) in this group were female. Abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss were the most frequent clinical manifestation in both groups. In both groups the rectosigmoid area was the most frequent location of the neoplasms. There was no difference with respect to sex, family history, symptoms at presentation, localization of tumor between young and old groups. Mucinous adenocarcinoma were common in the young. Our study showed that the incidence of colorectal carcinoma in patients 40 and younger is higher than in some other countries. This may be due to genetic and some environmental factors.