Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) is typically diagnosed before age 50.Approximately 16-25% of EO-CRC cases are related to germline mutations, and about half of them are cases of Lynch syndrome.A representative risk factor for EO-CRC is a family history of colorectal cancer, which highlights the instrumentality of early screening.In addition, metabolic syndrome (and related conditions such as obesity and hyperlipidemia), red meat consumption, alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyle have been identified as potential risk factors for EO-CRC.Particularly, obesity and excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, which were identified in a long-term prospective study in the Nurses' Health Study II cohort, could be significant.However, additional research on various population groups such as men and other races is needed.EO-CRC is often diagnosed at advanced stages and may have a relatively poor prognosis owing to molecular biological mutations.However, in the case of sporadic EO-CRC, when compared with the group of patients who developed the condition above 50 years of age, the results in terms of treatment response and cancer-related survival rates did not differ significantly.The prevalence of EO-CRC has recently been increasing in many countries, and the condition is an emerging public health problem.Korea has good accessibility to colonoscopy and high awareness of early screening; thus, unlike predictions in the United States, the trend has not increased since the mid-2010s.In the future, detailed research on screening programs according to risk factors and individualized treatment strategies will be required.
Author: Seung Bum Lee
Institutions: University of Ulsan, Ulsan University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4413766927