CLINICAL AND PARACLINICAL FEATURES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN PATIENTS YOUNGER THAN 50 YEARS WITH STAGE II, III COLON CANCER
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Abstract
Background: The incidence of colon cancer is increasing individuals under 50, largely due to delayed detection in the absence of screening. Young patients are more likely to present with emergency conditions and be diagnosed at more advanced stages compared to those aged ≥50 years Objectives: To describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics and identify factors associated with stage II and III colon cancer in patients younger than 50 years Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 69 under 50 years old who were diagnosed with stage II or III colon cancer at Can Tho Oncology Hospital and Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from July 2024 to January 2026 Results: Most patients were in the 40-49 (66.7%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.02. The history of medical comorbidities was significantly associated with premalignant lesions (OR = 6.18; 95% CI: 1.21 – 31.6; p = 0.036). The family history of colorectal cancer was more prevalent in patients <40 (47.8%) compared to those aged 40-49 (19.6%) (OR = 3.77; 95% CI: 1.26–11.24; p = 0.015). Most cases (97.1%) were detected after the onset of symptoms. Patients with stage III disease had a a significantly higher proportion of diagnostic delay (≥3 months) and elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels compared to those with stage II disease (48.3% vs. 22.5% and 69% vs. 37.5%, respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Family history and medical comorbidities are significant risk factors for colon cancer in young patients. Diagnostic delay and tumor biological burden, reflected by serum CEA levels, are associated with disease stage at the time of diagnosis.
Keywords
Colon cancer, young patients, stage II-III
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