Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clinical, Pathological and Molecular Characteristics of Chilean Patients with Early-, Intermediate- and Late-Onset Colorectal Cancer

by Karin Alvarez, Alessandra Cassana, Marjorie De La Fuente, Tamara Canales, Mario Abedrapo and Francisco López-Köstner

Cells 2021, 10(3), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030631 - 12 Mar 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2626

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent neoplasm in Chile and its mortality rate is rising in all ages. However, studies characterizing CRC according to the age of onset are still lacking. This study aimed to identify clinical, pathological, and molecular features [...] Read more.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent neoplasm in Chile and its mortality rate is rising in all ages. However, studies characterizing CRC according to the age of onset are still lacking. This study aimed to identify clinical, pathological, and molecular features of CRC in Chilean patients according to the age of diagnosis: early- (≤50 years; EOCRC), intermediate- (51–69 years; IOCRC), and late-onset (≥70 years; LOCRC). The study included 426 CRC patients from Clinica Las Condes, between 2007 and 2019. A chi-square test was applied to explore associations between age of onset and clinicopathological characteristics. Body Mass Index (BMI) differences according to age of diagnosis was evaluated through t-test. Overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. We found significant differences between the age of onset, and gender, BMI, family history of cancer, TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors stage, OS, and CSS. EOCRC category was characterized by a family history of cancer, left-sided tumors with a more advanced stage of the disease but better survival at 10 years, and lower microsatellite instability (MSI), with predominant germline mutations. IOCRC has shown clinical similarities with the EOCRC and molecular similarities to the LOCRC, which agrees with other reports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endogenous and Exogenous Factors and Somatic Characteristics of Early Onset Colorectal Cancers)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 1407 KiB

Open AccessReview

Disparities in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

by Charles Muller, Ehizokha Ihionkhan, Elena M. Stoffel and Sonia S. Kupfer

Cells 2021, 10(5), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10051018 - 26 Apr 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6606

Abstract

The incidence and mortality of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing in the United States (US) and worldwide. In the US, there are notable disparities in early-onset CRC burden by race/ethnicity and geography. African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and populations residing in specific regions of [...] Read more.

The incidence and mortality of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing in the United States (US) and worldwide. In the US, there are notable disparities in early-onset CRC burden by race/ethnicity and geography. African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and populations residing in specific regions of the Southern U.S. are disproportionately affected with CRC diagnosed at younger ages, while less is known about disparities in other countries. Reasons for these disparities are likely multi-factorial and potentially implicate differences in health determinants including biology/genetics, diet/environment, individual health behaviors, and access to high-quality health services, as well as social and policy factors. This review summarizes current understanding of early-onset CRC disparities and identifies specific research areas that will inform evidence-based interventions at individual, practice, and policy levels to reduce the global burden of this disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endogenous and Exogenous Factors and Somatic Characteristics of Early Onset Colorectal Cancers)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 788 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Inherited and Familial Component of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

by Maria Daca Alvarez, Isabel Quintana, Mariona Terradas, Pilar Mur, Francesc Balaguer and Laura Valle

Cells 2021, 10(3), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030710 - 23 Mar 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 5450

Abstract

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as that diagnosed before the age of 50, accounts for 10–12% of all new colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses. Epidemiological data indicate that EOCRC incidence is increasing, despite the observed heterogeneity among countries. Although the cause for such increase [...] Read more.

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as that diagnosed before the age of 50, accounts for 10–12% of all new colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses. Epidemiological data indicate that EOCRC incidence is increasing, despite the observed heterogeneity among countries. Although the cause for such increase remains obscure, ≈13% (range: 9–26%) of EOCRC patients carry pathogenic germline variants in known cancer predisposition genes, including 2.5% of patients with germline pathogenic variants in hereditary cancer genes traditionally not associated with CRC predisposition. Approximately 28% of EOCRC patients have family history of the disease. This article recapitulates current evidence on the inherited syndromes that predispose to EOCRC and its familial component. The evidence gathered support that all patients diagnosed with an EOCRC should be referred to a specialized genetic counseling service and offered somatic and germline pancancer multigene panel testing. The identification of a germline pathogenic variant in a known hereditary cancer gene has relevant implications for the clinical management of the patient and his/her relatives, and it may guide surgical and therapeutic decisions. The relative high prevalence of hereditary cancer syndromes and familial component among EOCRC patients supports further research that helps understand the genetic background, either monogenic or polygenic, behind this increasingly common disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endogenous and Exogenous Factors and Somatic Characteristics of Early Onset Colorectal Cancers)

► Show Figures