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What do we know and where do we go?

Early-onset colorectal cancer

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

Ass.Prof. Ayman Fahad Ali

Dalia Alhosain M.D.

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Outline

  1. Global trends of colorectal cancer (CRC).
  2. Early onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC)
  3. Our study
  4. Conclusion

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Global trends of early onset�colorectal cancer (EO-CRC):

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Global trends of colorectal cancer (CRC):

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a worldwide problem, with an annual incidence of approx. 1 million cases and an annual mortality of more than 500,000.

An alarming increase in EO-CRC defined as diagnosis in patients younger

than 50 years of age. It appears to represent a unique disease process.

roughly 10% of all new CRC diagnoses.

Damascus University Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals for 36 cancers.CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:394-424

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Global trends of colorectal cancer (CRC):

Steady decline in incidence of later-onset CRC(LO-CRC), which is attributed primarily to screening and management.

In 2030, it is estimated that 25% of rectal cancers and 10-12% of colon

cancers will be diagnosed in persons younger than 50 years of age.

Damascus University Siegel RL, Miller KD, Goding Sauer A, et al. Colorectal cancer statistics, 2020Alassad and Almouassat hospitals CA Cancer J Clin 2020;70:145-64.

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�EO-CRC characteristics:�

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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EO-CRC characteristics:

Over 86 percent are symptomatic at diagnosis. Hematochezia (38%),

abdominal or pelvic pain and bloating (in 33%), and change in bowel habits

(in 20%)

EO-CRC pt. have had a longer duration of Sx at presentation and

a longer delay in the time to diagnosis (7 to 9 mo.).

Damascus University Siegel RL, Miller KD, Goding Sauer A, et al. Colorectal cancer statistics, 2020Alassad and Almouassat hospitals CA Cancer J Clin 2020;70:145-64.

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EO-CRC characteristics:

More than 70% detected in rectum and distal colon.

More frequent of poorly differentiated cancers, and higher risk of

lymph nodes metastases.

Damascus University Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Alassad and Almouassat hospitals SEER research data, Nov 2019 sub (1975–2017).

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Our Study:�Early Onset Colorectal Cancer In Damascus University Hospitals�(on progress)

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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A case – control study, is being conducted in Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

since 1 Jan 2022.

Inclusion criteria: ≥ 1 high risk symptom for CRC:

Hematochezia, altered bowel habits, abdominal or pelvic pain with bloating,

weight loss, iron deficiency anemia.

Excluding criteria: those <45 y who meet Rome 4 criteria for irritable bowel syndrome.

Those known to have hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.

Those who refuse enrollment.

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Case group: symptomatic patients diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer by

colonoscopy at all ages.

Control group: symptomatic patients with no colon or rectal cancer by

colonoscopy at all ages.

Then comparing demographic variables, clinical presentation, endoscopic features.

Goal: introducing alarming Sx of EO-CRC, looking for correlations between previous variables, and highlighting the importance of clinical suspicion and early diagnosis.

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

Study plan:

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120 Patients

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

50 patients

<50 year

70 patients

≥50 year

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Clinical presentation

Hematochezia

25 pt.

Hematochezia +

constipation

20 pt.

Hematochezia +

abdominal pain

15 pt.

Anemia +

constipation

20 pt.

Anemia +

Weight loss

10 pt.

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46 patients have CRC (38.3%)

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

36 patients have LO-CRC (30%)

10 patients have EO-CRC (8%)

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50 symptomatic patients

<50 year of age

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

Control:

40 have no CRC

Normal endoscopy,

polyps, hemorrhoids, solitary rectal ulcer, proctitis

Case:

10 patients have EO-CRC

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EO-CRC:

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

4 patients (40%)

6 patients (60%)

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Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Most received symptomatic Tx for variable durations before having the right Dx

or seeking medical assistance.

More than 75% attribute their symptoms to common benign conditions.

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Physical examination was unremarkable.

Digital rectal examination revealed a palpable mass in 3 of 10 patients

(30%) with EO-CRC.

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Endoscopic:

Rectal cancer in 5 of 10 (50%)

Left colon cancer in 3 of 10 (30%)

Right colon cancer in 2 of 10 (20%)

Pathological:

All were adenocarcinoma

4 of 10 poorly differentiated AC.

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

Endoscopic and Pathological findings:

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Management:

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

Surgery

Emergency surgery 2 patients

Elective surgery 3 patients

Neoadjuvant therapy

On progress treatment

2 patients

Treatment failed.

managed with Abdominopelvic resection.

3 patients

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Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

60% of cases that underwent surgery, the tumor had invaded through muscularis

propria with metastases to adjacent lymph nodes.

We found advanced local disease.

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Conclusion:

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Conclusion:

The incidence of EO-CRC is projected to steadily increase for more than

double by 2030.

An awareness of the unique features of EO-CRC on the part of general public and health care providers is crucial to reduce time from Sx to Dx.

Identification of high risk patients, to implement individualized screening

approaches.

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022

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Thank you for listening

Damascus University

Alassad and Almouassat hospitals

16 Sep 2022