Colorectal Carcinoma Below 50 Years of Age: A Data Review on The National Colorectal Cancer Data Registry

• Published in: Journal of global oncology 2018-10, Vol.4 (Supplement 2), p.221-221s
• Main Authors: Ibrahim, N.R. Wan, Soelar, S.A., Chan, H.K., Azmi, A.N., Said, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2378-9506; 2378-9506
• DOI: 10.1200/jgo.18.89500

Abstract only Background: Colorectal cancer remains a notable source of mortality and morbidity across the globe. It is the second commonest cancer in Malaysia. Robust screening program has exponentiated worldwide in last few decade especially in the western countries. Interestingly, there are more worrying reports of late to show that the incidence in younger patients, below 50 years of age are increasing. Aim: This study is aimed to look at clinical characteristics and survival outcome of this group in our local context. Methods: The National Colorectal Cancer Registry, The Northern Report 2008 - 2014 was reviewed retrospectively into the data to determine the number and clinical characteristics in patients with colorectal cancer in patients aged below 50 and in patients of 50 years and above. Results: A total of 3117 patients were included in the registry. 477 patients were younger than 50 years of age. Majority of the patients with colorectal cancer in the registry were from the Chinese ethnic group (59%), followed by the Malays (35%), Indian (5%) and others (1%). However, the younger patients' cohort seem to have more Malays diagnosed (54%), followed by the Chinese (36%), Indian (9%) and others (1%). Only 11% of the younger adults have family history of colorectal cancer. 68.1% of these patients, falls into the 40-49 age group. Sadly, majority of them (69.4%) are already in stage III or stage IV on presentation. The survival rate at 5 years however are significantly better in the younger patients with 45.49% as compared with the older group with 37.42% ( P = 0.015). Conclusion: Patients below 50 years with colorectal cancer presents with a different clinical characteristic as compared with the older patients. A review on a bigger national registry would be beneficial. Perhaps advocating a surveillance screening program for populations at an earlier age may be warranted in the future.