Survival Patterns in Early-onset Colorectal Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Capecitabine Based Therapy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is increasing worldwide, yet optimal adjuvant treatment strategies remain unclear.This study evaluated survival outcomes and prognostic factors in EOCRC patients treated with adjuvant capecitabine-based chemotherapy. Material and Methods:This retrospective study included 51 patients aged younger than 50 years with high-risk stage II or stage III colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgery followed by capecitabine-based adjuvant therapy between 2017 and 2021.Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models.Results: The median follow-up was 32 months.Stage III patients had significantly poorer OS and RFS than those of Stage II patients (p<0.05).In multivariate analysis, recurrence was the only independent predictor of OS [hazard ratio (HR)=12.45,p=0.002].For RFS, nodal status remained an independent prognostic factor (HR=0.032, p=0.006).Among stage II patients, the XELOX regimen was associated with a significantly different recurrence risk compared to capecitabine monotherapy (HR=14.87,p=0.038). Conclusion:In EOCRC, stage and nodal status are key prognostic determinants.Adjuvant therapy should be tailored to pathological risk rather than age alone, as XELOX may offer a recurrence benefit in selected stage II patients, whereas routine treatment intensification risks avoidable toxicity.
Source: Journal of Oncological Sciences
Institution: Ege University
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7125370113
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: