PWE-062 A Retrospective review of colo-rectal cancer in young adults

Abstract

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the trends in clinical presentations and anaemia among young adults [age < 50] with colorectal cancer at the time of diagnosis. Methods This was a retrospective observational study. The identity of young adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 200-017 were obtained from the Somerset cancer data base. Clinical information about the patient was obtained from the electronic patient database [I portal] Descriptive statistics and survival outcomes were performed using SPSS software Results 171 patients were identified over a period of 8 years (102 males vs 69 females) with median age of 46 years. Prior to diagnosis, the mean duration of symptoms for men was 99 days and for women 91 days. The majority of both male and female patients presented with rectal bleeding (53.7% and 46.3% respectively). Abdominal pain was more common among patients diagnosed with right sided colon cancer compared to the left ,41.2% vs 20.2%, p=0.0046 [95% CI 6.1- 6.01]. Almost half (49.02%) of the patients were anaemic at the time of diagnosis. Incidence of anaemia was significantly higher in right sided cancers as compared to left colon cancers [74% vs 40% respectively p=0.0001]. Microcytic anaemia [mcv < 80] was seen in 25.2% patients. Post hoc analysis showed that MCV was significantly lower in patients with cancer in the right colon, compared to those with it in the rectum (p=0.01). Rectum was the most common site of the tumour (47.95%) and 73% (116) of patients were diagnosed at advanced stage (stage III/IV). Conclusions Incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults is increasing1 and they tend to present at advanced stage. Our study showed that most patients were symptomatic for at least 3 months prior to diagnosis. Although rectal bleeding was the most common presenting complaint, microcytic anaemia and abdominal pain tend to be more common in right sided colon cancer. These findings should alert primary care clinicians and specialists alike when faced with a young adult with gastrointestinal symptoms.