Comparison of colorectal cancer outcomes in young adults and octogenarians.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to characterise the outcomes associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), comparing young adults (<50 years), patients of screening age (50-79 years), and octogenarians (>80 years). METHODS: All consecutive CRC resections with curative intent were recruited into this study from a prospectively maintained CRC database at a tertiary academic centre. RESULTS: A total of 745 eligible cases were identified. Five-year survival in young adults was poorer than that of patients of screening age. Young adults had the highest incidence of rectal cancer resections, and presented with the most advanced tumour stages. Independent associations for poorer survival in young adults were increased nodal stage, the presence of distal metastases, and loss of MLH1/PMS2 staining on immunohistochemistry. Young adults had similar survival to octogenarians, when comparing patients treated with curative intent, regardless of oncological treatment.