title: [Colorectal Carcinoma in Young Patients - Is Age a Prognostic Factor?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concerning younger patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) controversies still exist regarding outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible differences between patients suffering from CRC at a younger age (< 40 years) and at an age over 40 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 51 younger patients (< 40 years) and 2122 older patients (≥ 40 years) were prospectively collected and retrospectively evaluated according to clinical parameters, treatment and prognosis. Patients with a CRC arising from familial adenomatous polyposis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease have been excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The younger patients presented significantly more often with mucinous adenocarcinomas (p = 0.033). There were no differences between the groups concerning gender, localisation, elective and emergency surgery, UICC (Union internationale contre le cancer) stages and residual tumour classification. Postoperative therapy - in adjuvant, therapeutic or palliative intent - was applied significantly more often in younger patients, especially in those with colon carcinoma (p = 0.001). After curative resection of colon carcinoma a significantly better observed (5 year rate 94 vs. 76 %; p = 0.024) and disease-free (88 vs. 69 %; p = 0.013) survival were found. This trend was similar in patients with rectal carcinoma (84 vs. 75 % and 72 vs. 65 %) without reaching the level of significance (p = 0.155 and 0.269). Taking into account differences in life expectancy, just minor differences were detected in relative survival (colon carcinoma, 5 year rate 94 vs. 89 %; rectal carcinoma, 84 % both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The general assumption of a poorer prognosis in younger patients with CRC could not be confirmed. Younger patients have a poorer histological subtype of carcinoma. But this is compensated by the better overall condition, less comorbidities, faster postoperative recovery and an optimally organised post-operative (adjuvant, therapeutic or palliative) therapy. In summary, younger patients have a better observed survival but - considering differences in life expectancy - a similar relative survival.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schellerer
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Croner
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langheinrich
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hohenberger
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merkel
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult