COLORECTAL-CANCER IN YOUNG-ADULTS

The study was carried out to promote a greater awareness of the potent ial for colorectal cancer in young adults under 40 years of age. Durin g the 8 years between 1986 and 1993, 237 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum were operated at the Uludag University Hospita l. Of these 237 cases, 46 patients under 40 years old were reviewed re trospectively. They accounted for 19.4% of the total number of patient s with carcinoma of the colon and rectum operated during the same peri od. Rectal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom. The mean d uration of time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 5.8 months . The rectosigmoid area was the most frequently involved site (80%). S eventy-six percent of the patients had Dukes' stage C or D tumors. For ty-eight percent of the tumors were either poorly differentiated or mu cinous. The cumulative survival rate at 5 years was 43.4%. Patients un der 40 years old with carcinoma of the colon and rectum are usually sy mptomatic and have advanced disease at the time of presentation. Altho ugh colorectal cancer is usually a disease of older patients it is bec oming more common in younger populations.