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Issue: No. 92 (2025)
Section: Article
DOI: 10.58490/ctjump.2026i92.4246
Date Published: 25/10/2025
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Nguyen, P. H. T., Pham, M. C., Le, H. P., Kim, T. S. T. R., Le, K. D., Nguyen, T. T. A., & Thach, T. K. N. (2025). CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY-ONSET COLORECTAL CANCER AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL. Cantho Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, 92, 133-138. https://doi.org/10.58490/ctjump.2026i92.4246

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY-ONSET COLORECTAL CANCER AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL

Phan Huyen Tran Nguyen1, Minh Chien Pham1, , Hoang Phuc Le1, Thi So The Ry Kim1, Khai Dien Le1, Thi Truc Anh Nguyen1, Thi Kim Ngan Thach1
1 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Main Article Content

Abstract

  Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has exhibited a progressive increase in incidence, with a marked rise among individuals younger than 50 years of age. Recognition of these features is critical for early detection and improved outcomes. However, data from Vietnam remain limited. Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of early-onset CRC among patients treated at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Materials and methods: A combined retrospective and prospective descriptive study was conducted on patients aged 20-49 years who were diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma and treated at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. The study included a minimum sample size of 35 patients. Results: In the cohort of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer, males predominated (60.4%) compared with females (39.6%). Early-onset cases accounted for 25% of the total CRC population. Most patients had a normal body mass index (60.4%), whereas 16% were overweight and 11.8% were obese. The most frequently reported symptoms were abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and pelvic pain (75%), followed by altered bowel habits (69.4%) and weight loss (47.2%). Less common manifestations included melena (22.2%), incidental detection (16.7%), fatigue (13.9%), hematochezia (8.3%), anal pain and bowel obstruction (5.6%), anemia and musculoskeletal pain, which were rarely encountered. Conclusions: Early-onset CRC predominantly occurred in males and was associated with overweight and obesity. The wide spectrum of nonspecific symptoms highlights the need for heightened clinical awareness and the development of appropriate screening strategies in younger populations

Keywords

Early-onset colorectal cancer, under 50 years, clinical characteristics

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