Volume 20, Issue 4 pp. 444-449
REVIEW
Free Access

Risk factors, histopathological landscape, biomarkers, treatment patterns and survival of early-onset colorectal cancer: A narrative review

Celine Garrett

Corresponding Author

Celine Garrett

Surgical Outcomes Research Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

Faculty of Medicine & Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia

Faculty of Medicine & Health, St George and Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Correspondence

Celine Garrett, Surgical Outcomes Research Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Level 9, 89 Missenden Road, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia.

Email: [email protected]

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Daniel Steffens

Daniel Steffens

Surgical Outcomes Research Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

Faculty of Medicine & Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia

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Stephen Ackland

Stephen Ackland

Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia

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Michael Solomon

Michael Solomon

Surgical Outcomes Research Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

Faculty of Medicine & Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia

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Cherry Koh

Cherry Koh

Surgical Outcomes Research Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

Faculty of Medicine & Health, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia

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First published: 22 May 2024
Citations: 1

Abstract

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence has increased in most Western countries over the last decade, with Australia at the forefront. Recent literature has thus focused on characterizing EOCRC from later-onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC). Earlier exposure to modifiable risk factors resulting in gut dysbiosis has been linked with EOCRC development. EOCRCs have more aggressive histopathological features with somatic mutations resulting in pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironments. There is a tendency to treat EOCRCs with multimodal chemotherapeutic regimens and more extensive surgery than LOCRCs with conflicting postoperative outcomes and survival data. Current research is limited by a lack of Australasian studies, retrospective study designs, and heterogeneous definitions of EOCRC. Future research should address these and focus on investigating the role of immunotherapies, establishing minimally invasive diagnostic biomarkers and nomograms, and evaluating the survival and functional outcomes of EOCRC.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data sharing is not applicable—no new data were generated.

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