Colorectal Cancer in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in adolescents and young adults (AYA) has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Compared to adult patients, the overall survival is worse in adolescent and young adults with colorectal cancer. Most cases of CRC in the AYA population are sporadic, meaning that the cases are not associated with common risk factors such as familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease. Tumor biology and treatment strategies tailored to the adolescent patient remain poorly defined. Moreover, AYA patients with CRC can be treated at adult or children’s hospitals. Only ~24% of patients aged 15-19 years old are reported to be treated at a Children’s Oncology Group (COG) affiliated institution. The rarity of CRC and variation in facility type has made meaningful studies difficult to accomplish. By leveraging the participation of PSORC institutions, this study has the potential to accrue a large series of AYA patients with CRC treated across North America. The results of this study can advance understanding of the unique challenges for the diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of AYA patients with CRC. For patients with colorectal cancer aged 0-21 years, the aims of this study are to:

1.       Characterize epidemiology and management.

2.       Evaluate practice variation across a variety of care teams. 

Study Investigators: Danielle Cameron, MD, MPH and Sara Mansfield, MD

Contact Chloé Boehmer (Chloe.Boehmer@cchmc.org) if you have questions on how to participate in this study at a PSORC institution.

Endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound demonstrating a locally advanced colorectal cancer in a teen.