Rising incidence of colorectal cancer in individuals younger than 50 years and increasing mortality from rectosigmoid cancer in England.

AIM: The aim was to describe changes in incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) in England by analysing data available from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS, 2001-2017). METHODS: Data analysis was undertaken to interpret trends and patterns in age-standardized incidence and death rates from CRC, including sub-analyses by six age groups (0-24, 25-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+) and three sites of cancer-colonic, rectosigmoid and rectal. RESULTS: Overall CRC incidence remained relatively stable-70.1 cases per 100 000 individuals (95% CI 69.3-71.0) in 2001 and 68.8 cases (95% CI 68.0-69.5) in 2017. Sub-analysis demonstrates a quarter fewer incidence of rectosigmoid cancer (-27%). This is counterbalanced by a 3% rise in colon cancers. The age-standardized incidence rate of CRC increased by 59% in the 25-49 age group. In the over 50s, CRC incidence remained stable, with reductions seen in rectosigmoid cancer (50-59 years, -19%; 60-69, -26%; 70-79, -39%; 80+, -27%). Overall, mortality improved (-18.7%), primarily as a result of the reduction in deaths from colon (-31.6%) and rectal cancers (-25.1%). Deaths from the small incident number of rectosigmoid cancers, however, demonstrated a significant increase overall (+166.7%). Grouped age-standardized death rate analyses showed increasing death rates in the under 50s (+28.3%) compared to declining rates in the over 50s (-15.8%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear trend in increased incidence and mortality in individuals under 50 years old. There is also a trend to increased mortality from rectosigmoid cancer. These findings should have implications for national screening programme extension to under 50s and a call to arms for appropriate identification, staging and treatment of rectosigmoid cancers.

Dietary intake of branched-chain amino acids and colorectal cancer risk.

An adequate intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) is required for protein synthesis and metabolic functions, including insulin metabolism. Emerging studies found positive associations between BCAA and the risk of various diseases sharing aetiological aspects with colorectal cancer (CRC), including type 2 diabetes, obesity and pancreatic cancer. We investigated the relation between dietary BCAA and CRC using data from a multicentric Italian case-control study, including 1953 cases of CRC (of these, 442 of sigmoid colon) and 4154 hospital controls with acute, non-neoplastic diseases. A validated FFQ was used to estimate the participants' usual diet and to assess dietary intakes of various nutrients, including energy, BCAA and Ca. OR and corresponding CI were computed by multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex and other confounding factors, including total energy intake. BCAA intake was inversely related to CRC risk (OR for the highest v. the lowest quintile 0·73; 95 % CI 0·55, 0·97), but the association was attenuated after adjustment for Ca intake (OR 0·90; 95 % CI 0·65, 1·25). An inverse association with sigmoid colon cancer risk also remained after adjustment for other dietary factors, including Ca intake (OR 0·49; 95 % CI 0·27, 0·87). This study provides supporting evidence that higher levels of dietary BCAA intake are not associated with an increase of CRC risk, but confirms that they may be related to a reduced risk of sigmoid colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer in younger population: our experience.

OBJECTIVE: To promote awareness regarding increased occurrence of colorectal cancer in younger population and its clinicopathological features compared to older patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2010 to January 2011 on patients with diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma admitted through emergency or outpatients' departments to Surgical Unit 5, Civil Hospital, Karachi. Data regarding age, gender, presentation, site of tumour, surgery performed and Dukes staging was collected and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were operated during the study period: 13 (56.52%) males and 10 (43.47%) females. Of them 12 (52.17%) were below the age of 40 years, while 3 (13.04%) patients were in the 11-20 age group. In 7 (30.4%) patients, tumour was irresectable at the time of presentation so a palliative procedure (diversion colostomy or ileostomy) was performed.There was a higher proportion of younger patients with metastatic disease at the time of presentation (n = 9; 75%) while 10 out of 12 patients in the younger age group (83.3%) had a tumour of left colon, particularly rectum. CONCLUSION: Although colorectal cancer is usually a disease of older patients, it is increasingly becoming more common in younger population. Data suggests a leftward distribution for colorectal carcinoma and that younger patients present with more advanced disease and poorer prognosis.

[Prevalence of rectosigmoid adenomas and adenocarcinomas in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia]. / Prevalencia de adenomas y adenocarcinomas de recto-sigma en pacientes menores de 50 años que consultan por proctorragia.

BACKGROUND: Rectal bleeding is a sign of colorectal cancer (CRC). Its early diagnosis decreases mortality and improves survival. In young population with no risk factors for the disease, CRC is infrequent. Moreover, benign anorectal disorders are most frequent causes of bleeding and generally, when anal pathology is identified, it is assumed as the origin of the sign. For all these reasons, rectal bleeding sometimes is sub-assessed in young patients. OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia. METHODS: The study design was descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional. Procedures were performed under sedation and Olympus CF 160 y CF 180 scopes were used. Proctorrhagia was considered as rectal bleeding registered as indication of the procedure. Histology was established according to Vienna classification. Informed consent was signed before the procedures. Colonoscopy reports were reviewed. The study took place in an outpatient clinic in Buenos Aires city, between October 2010 and October 2011. High risk patients for CRC were excluded RESULTS: We included 1,203 from 1,257 reviewed VCC, 49% were female and the median age was 38 years old (range: 18-49 years old). The prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum was 67% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 5.4-8.3] and 1.6% (95% CI 1-2.5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinomas and adenomas are infrequent in a young population without risk factors for CRC. However, even when benign anal disorders are the most frequent cause for rectal bleeding, miss evaluation of this sign could have a serious impact in almost 10 of 100 individuals.

Prevalencia de adenomas y adenocarcinomas de recto-sigma en pacientes menores de 50 años que consultan por proctorragia / [Prevalence of rectosigmoid adenomas and adenocarcinomas in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia].

BACKGROUND: Rectal bleeding is a sign of colorectal cancer (CRC). Its early diagnosis decreases mortality and improves survival. In young population with no risk factors for the disease, CRC is infrequent. Moreover, benign anorectal disorders are most frequent causes of bleeding and generally, when anal pathology is identified, it is assumed as the origin of the sign. For all these reasons, rectal bleeding sometimes is sub-assessed in young patients. OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia. METHODS: The study design was descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional. Procedures were performed under sedation and Olympus CF 160 y CF 180 scopes were used. Proctorrhagia was considered as rectal bleeding registered as indication of the procedure. Histology was established according to Vienna classification. Informed consent was signed before the procedures. Colonoscopy reports were reviewed. The study took place in an outpatient clinic in Buenos Aires city, between October 2010 and October 2011. High risk patients for CRC were excluded RESULTS: We included 1,203 from 1,257 reviewed VCC, 49

were female and the median age was 38 years old (range: 18-49 years old). The prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum was 67

CI): 5.4-8.3] and 1.6

CI 1-2.5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinomas and adenomas are infrequent in a young population without risk factors for CRC. However, even when benign anal disorders are the most frequent cause for rectal bleeding, miss evaluation of this sign could have a serious impact in almost 10 of 100 individuals.

Prevalencia de adenomas y adenocarcinomas de recto-sigma en pacientes menores de 50 años que consultan por proctorragia. / [Prevalence of rectosigmoid adenomas and adenocarcinomas in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia].

BACKGROUND: Rectal bleeding is a sign of colorectal cancer (CRC). Its early diagnosis decreases mortality and improves survival. In young population with no risk factors for the disease, CRC is infrequent. Moreover, benign anorectal disorders are most frequent causes of bleeding and generally, when anal pathology is identified, it is assumed as the origin of the sign. For all these reasons, rectal bleeding sometimes is sub-assessed in young patients. OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia. METHODS: The study design was descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional. Procedures were performed under sedation and Olympus CF 160 y CF 180 scopes were used. Proctorrhagia was considered as rectal bleeding registered as indication of the procedure. Histology was established according to Vienna classification. Informed consent was signed before the procedures. Colonoscopy reports were reviewed. The study took place in an outpatient clinic in Buenos Aires city, between October 2010 and October 2011. High risk patients for CRC were excluded RESULTS: We included 1,203 from 1,257 reviewed VCC, 49

were female and the median age was 38 years old (range: 18-49 years old). The prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum was 67

[95

confidence interval (95

CI): 5.4-8.3] and 1.6

(95

CI 1-2.5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinomas and adenomas are infrequent in a young population without risk factors for CRC. However, even when benign anal disorders are the most frequent cause for rectal bleeding, miss evaluation of this sign could have a serious impact in almost 10 of 100 individuals.

Trends in colorectal cancer incidence: a period and birth-cohort analysis in a well-defined French population.

BACKGROUND: France stands among high-risk areas for colorectal cancer. Different trends in CRC incidence are reported around the world. The aim of this study was to provide temporal trends in CRC incidence over a 30-year period in a French well-defined population. METHODS: Between 1976 and 2005, 17,028 new cases were registered by the Burgundy digestive cancer registry. The mean variations in age-standardized incidence rates were estimated using a Poisson regression adjusted for age for each gender and location. The cumulative risk by birth cohort of developing a cancer over the age range 0-74 years was estimated using an age-cohort model. RESULTS: Incidence rates for right and left colon cancers increased more rapidly in males (respectively +11.7% and +10.3% on average by 5-year period) than in females (respectively +5.9% and +6.1%). It remained stable for sigmoid cancers in males (-0.1%) and decreased in females (-5.2%). It also decreased for rectal cancers both in males (-2.7%) and in females (-2.0%). The cumulative risk increased from 3.9% for males born around 1900 to 4.9% for those born around 1930 and then slightly decreased (4.5% among those born around 1950). It remained at the same level for females born around 1900 (2.7%) as for those born around 1930 (2.7%) and then slightly increased (2.9%) for those born around 1950. For right colon cancers, the cumulative risk increased strikingly in successive birth cohorts from 0.53% to 1.2% in males and 0.55% to 0.77% in females. The corresponding cumulative risks for the left colon were 0.24% and 0.42% in males and 0.14% and 0.29% in females. For sigmoid cancer, they decreased from 1.59% to 1.08% in males, and 0.88% to 0.80% in females. CONCLUSION: Temporal variations in incidence rates of colorectal cancers differed according to subsite, suggesting different aetiological factors and implications for diagnosis and screening strategies. Total colonoscopy must be the preferred strategy in high-risk groups or after a positive faecal occult blood test.

Primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults: clinicopathologic and survival characteristics.

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphomas of gastrointestinal tract (PGI-NHL) are the most common extranodal lymphomas with an increasing incidence. The incidence, clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and survival were assessed in 39 successive, newly diagnosed PGI-NHL patients (23 male and 16 female) treated at "Merkur" University Hospital. The aim of the study was to precisely evaluate their characteristics and compare them with the results reported from other similar studies. The most common site of PGI-NHL was stomach (n = 29, 74%), followed by small intestine (n = 5, 13%), and colon and rectosigmoid (n = 5, 13%). According to the Ann Arbor classification, 34 (87%) patients had stage IE and IIE, and five patients (12%) stage IIIE and IVE. According to World Health Organization (WHO) classification, 29 (87%) patients had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLCBL), two had mantle cell lymphoma, and seven (18%) had marginal zone B-cell lymphoma-mucosa associated tissue (MALT). Twenty-six (66%) patients underwent surgical resection followed by chemotherapy, ten (26%) were treated with chemotherapy alone, and three (8%) were treated surgically. Complete remission was achieved in 28 (72%) and partial remission in seven (18%) patients. Four (10%) patients had progressive disease. In our patients, the major prognostic factor for outcome was the stage of disease. Patients with localized lymphoma (stage IE and IIE) had a significantly longer overall survival: 85% at five years and 65% at ten years. Patients with extended disease (stage IIIE and IVE) had overall survival less than 33%. The prognostic power of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total protein, serum albumin, LDH concentration and activity was analyzed. Of these parameters, only LDH had a statistically significant effect on overall survival. In conclusion, our patient group was comparable to other literature reports on PGI-NHL patients according to clinicopathologic characteristics. Disease stage and LDH were the only parameters that had a statistically significant effect patient survival.

Effects of centralization of colorectal surgery on the outcome of patients with distal sigmoid colonic cancer.

BACKGROUND: In 1996, all colorectal surgery in the county of Vastmanland, Sweden, was centralized to the central District Hospital in Vasterås. A Colorectal Unit was established and modern surgical procedures were introduced. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome for patients treated surgically for distal sigmoid colonic cancer before and after the centralization. METHODS: Hospital records of all patients with distal sigmoid colonic cancer, treated between 1991-1995, group 1 (n = 64), and 1996-2000, group 2 (n = 82), were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: In group 2, there were fewer reoperations (n = 0) than in group 1 (n = 6; p = 0.005) and the postoperative mortality was lower; one in group 2 compared with five in group 1 (p = 0.047). The amount of lymph nodes examined were higher and the length of distal surgical margin longer in group 2. Curatively treated patients in group 2 had better overall survival compared to group 1 (RR 0.56; 95% CI 0.34-0.93). CONCLUSION: Centralization of colorectal surgery resulted in an improvement of pathologic specimens and a decrease in postoperative reoperations and mortality in patients treated surgically for distal sigmoid colonic cancer. Moreover, the overall survival of curatively treated patients was improved.

Malignancy in the setting of the anti-synthetase syndrome.

Malignancy and interstitial lung disease (ILD) are 2 conditions associated with dermatomyositis (DM) that are responsible for a significant portion of the morbidity and mortality related to this disease; however, they rarely occur in the same patient. The antisynthetase syndrome consists of several characteristics, including ILD, arthritis, Raynaud phenomenon, "mechanic's hands," and positive antibodies to tRNA synthetases, which have each been negatively associated with cancer. When patients with DM present with such characteristics, clinicians may be falsely reassured that a thorough malignancy screen is unnecessary. We describe a patient who presented with the antisynthetase syndrome and was subsequently found to have colon cancer. Removal of the cancer led to resolution of the myositis and lung disease, but the patient's rash and arthritis persisted and ultimately required immunosuppressive therapy. We provide a review of the literature describing the concurrence of both this syndrome and ILD alone, with malignancy. We conclude that a thorough and expedited age-appropriate malignancy work up is indicated in all patients with a new diagnosis of DM, despite the presence of disease characteristics that are usually not associated with cancer.

Association of demographic and treatment variables in long-term colon cancer survival.

The purpose of this study is to examine demographic and treatment variables because they relate to 5-year survival in colon cancer. The study design is analysis of 174 471 patients with colon and rectosigmoid cancer as reported to the American College of Surgeons National Cancer Data Base. Factors associated with a reduced risk of mortality included female gender (hazard ratio = 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.90), education status (hazard ratio = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.89), increased number of lymph nodes resected (compared with <8, 8-12: hazard ratio = 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-0.92; >12: hazard ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.80), and addition of chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.68-0.71). African American race (hazard ratio = 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.18) and increasing age correlated with an increased hazard risk (61-75 years: hazard ratio = 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.29; >or=76 years: hazard ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 2.09-2.21, compared with age <60 years). Survival in colon cancer is significantly impacted by patient's age, race, gender, and education status but not by income or area of residence.

Subsite distribution of colorectal carcinoma and implications for screening; a retrospective audit of 1771 cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent epidemiologic studies mentioned a shift from left to right in colorectal cancer. We searched our hospital database to try to give an insight into the patient characteristics and also optimize the screening programs in our country. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1771 colorectal cancer patients were identified and analyzed. Patients' gender, age, operation dates, tumor localization, resectability and T stage of the lesions, were recorded and comparisons were made. Second step of the study consisted of a questionnaire including 6 questions that were asked to 278 physicians to document current physician attitudes and practices regarding colorectal cancer screening, and to formulate appropriate interventions. RESULTS: Most of our patients were older than 51 in our study and a higher percentage of cases had sigmoid and rectal cancer (67%). The chronological trends in anatomic subsite distribution of colorectal cancer showed that by changing years when left colon cancer percentage was increasing, rectum cancer percentage was decreasing. There was no age-dependent variation in the topographical distribution of colorectal cancer by changing years. Also there was no relation between sex differences and subsite distribution when the whole group was taken into consideration. Specialist physicians had a poor understanding of colorectal cancer screening and lacked the responsibility of the screening programs. CONCLUSIONS: Data presented in this article do not support a progressive left to right shift in the distribution of colorectal carcinoma. Screening with fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy seems appropriate. Physician education may be an important step in screening before public awareness.

Risk of advanced proximal adenoma and cancer according to rectosigmoid findings in the Korean population.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States and Europe. Recently, the incidence of colorectal cancer has been increasing remarkably in Korea. To reduce the high incidence, screening of colorectal cancer in asymptomatic individuals has been advocated. Sigmoidoscopy is simpler, faster, and better tolerable than total colonoscopy, but the scope cannot reach the proximal colon segment and, therefore, may miss proximal colon cancer. In the present study, we intended to investigate the prevalence of proximal adenoma and cancer according to the findings in rectosigmoid colon and to find their risk factors. Data were collected retrospectively from 1541 consecutive patients who underwent total colonoscopy at the Department of Gastroenterology, Hanyang University, between October 2003 and December 2004. Neoplasms were classified as diminutive adenoma (< or =5 mm), small adenoma (6-9 mm), advanced adenoma (> or =10 mm, with villous component or high-grade dysplasia), and cancer. The sites of neoplasms were defined as rectosigmoid (rectum and sigmoid colon) and proximal (from cecum to descending colon) colon. The prevalence of advanced proximal adenoma was associated with severe rectosigmoid findings. On the other hand, the prevalence of proximal colon cancer did not show such a tendency. Among the 131 patients with proximal advanced adenoma, 66% had no neoplasm in the rectosigmoid colon. Moreover, among the 27 patients with proximal cancer, 52% had no neoplasm in the rectosigmoid colon. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender, and advanced rectosigmoid adenoma were the risk factors of advanced proximal adenoma, but nothing was associated with the risk for proximal colon cancer. Advanced rectosigmoid adenoma may be the predictor of advanced proximal adenoma, especially in old males. However, nothing is related to the risk for proximal colon cancer. Therefore, colonoscopy may be more adequate for colorectal cancer screening than sigmoidoscopy in the Korean population.