Advanced colon cancer before the age of 20 years: a case for extension of the current colonoscopy surveillance guidelines in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) currently accounts for between 2% to 6% of all colorectal adenocarcinomas. Controversies exist regarding the current guidelines for colonoscopic screening for colon cancer.


METHODS
A case of colon cancer in a young Japanese man with a family history of colon cancer that did not meet the criteria for HNPCC is reported. A malignant pelvic mass discovered shortly before his 20th birthday prompted a colonoscopy. The findings at colonoscopy determined that the patient and his family fulfilled the criteria of HNPCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Before finding a pelvic mass metastatic from adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon, this patient was clearly outside of the current guidelines for HNPCC screening. It is suggested that in similar patients, even if they do not fulfill all the criteria for HNPCC, it would be appropriate to consider screening well before the recommended lower age.
Wong
Victor K
VK
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Yoshida
Eric M
EM
Ryan
Anthony G
AG
Ho
Stephen G F
SG
Salh
Baljinder
B
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic