title: Histopathologic characteristics and short-term outcomes of colorectal cancer in young Tunisian patients: one center's experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is generally a disease of persons older than 40 years. Concerning younger patients, controversies still exist regarding features and prognosis of CRC. We performed this study to characterise CRC in young patients (≤ 40 years) as well as to evaluate short-term outcome in comparison with older patients (>40 years) with CRC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and histopathological parameters of 40 patients aged 40 years or less were compared with 240 patients aged more than 40 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In young patients, the minority suffered from hereditary cancer syndromes (0.4%). Furthermore, up to 87% of young patients denied any cancers in their families. Compared with older patients, young patients had more mucinous adenocarcinomas (32.5% vs. 11.5%; p=0.02), more venous invasion (p=0.021), more perineural invasion (p=0.028). For grading (p=0.42), lymphatic invasion (p=0.17) and tumor sites (p=0.46), no significant differences between young and older patients were found. Young patients had less post operative morbidity (p=0.039), less post operative mortality (0.029). Young and older patients had the same overall 1-year survival rates (p=0.24), and the same cancer-related 1-year survival rates (p=0.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tunisian patients present with colorectal cancer at a more advanced stage of the disease at younger ages compared to developed countries. The early detection of CRC followed by a sufficient oncologic treatment is crucial regardless of age. It is mandatory for all patients with suspicious symptoms to undergo early adequate diagnoses.
authors: Mohamed Thahar Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
authors: Mahdi
authors: M
authors: Bouassida
authors: Bilel
authors: B
authors: Feidi
authors: Bassem
authors: B
authors: Mroua
authors: Mohamed Fadhel
authors: MF
authors: Chtourou
authors: Selim
authors: S
authors: Sassi
authors: Fathi
authors: F
authors: Chebbi
authors: Souheil
authors: S
authors: Bouchtili
authors: Mohamed Mongi
authors: MM
authors: Mighri
authors: Hassen
authors: H
authors: Touinsi
authors: Mohamed Msaddak
authors: MM
authors: Azzouz
authors: Sadok
authors: S
authors: Sassi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014416:Tunisia