title: Clinical and molecular features of young-onset colorectal cancer.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related mortality worldwide. Although young-onset CRC raises the possibility of a hereditary component, hereditary CRC syndromes only explain a minority of young-onset CRC cases. There is evidence to suggest that young-onset CRC have a different molecular profile than late-onset CRC. While the pathogenesis of young-onset CRC is well characterized in individuals with an inherited CRC syndrome, knowledge regarding the molecular features of sporadic young-onset CRC is limited. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of young-onset CRC can help us tailor specific screening and management strategies. While the incidence of late-onset CRC has been decreasing, mainly attributed to an increase in CRC screening, the incidence of young-onset CRC is increasing. Differences in the molecular biology of these tumors and low suspicion of CRC in young symptomatic individuals, may be possible explanations. Currently there is no evidence that supports that screening of average risk individuals less than 50 years of age will translate into early detection or increased survival. However, increasing understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of young-onset CRC could help us tailor specific screening and management strategies. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current knowledge about young-onset CRC, its clinicopathologic features, and the newly recognized molecular alterations involved in tumor progression.
authors: Veroushka Ballester, Shahrooz Rashtak, Lisa Boardman, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States.
authors: Veroushka
authors: V
authors: Ballester
authors: Veroushka Ballester, Shahrooz Rashtak, Lisa Boardman, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States.
authors: Shahrooz
authors: S
authors: Rashtak
authors: Veroushka Ballester, Shahrooz Rashtak, Lisa Boardman, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Boardman
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D043171:Chromosomal Instability; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006223:Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D040941:Heredity; D006801:Humans; D044483:Intestinal Polyposis / Q000151:congenital / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D053842:Microsatellite Instability; D008875:Middle Aged; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010580:Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Chromosomal instability; Chromosome stable colorectal cancer; CpG island methylator phenotype; Late-onset colorectal cancer; Microsatellite; Microsatellite instability; Young-onset colorectal cancer