ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in Hungary. AIM: The authors examined retrospectively the ratio and the clinical course of patients under the age of 50 years operated by themselves between January, 2006 and May, 2012. METHOD: During this period of time 667 patients underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma and 44 (6.6%) were less than 50 years old. 22.2% of the operations were performed for emergency reasons. The surgical technique, TNM stage, differentiation state and localization of the tumours were analyzed as well as the histological types with unfavourable prognosis. In order to analyse risk factors a questionnaire was sent to patients of young age group. RESULTS: The majority of patients, including those under 50 years of age were diagnosed as having TNM stages III and IV. Only half of the patients returned the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Due to a relatively low response rate, the importance of risk factors for colorectal carcinoma in patients under 50 years of age remains to be further investigated.