Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is the commonest gastro-intestinal neoplasm. Incidence of colorectal cancer has increased among people having age <50 years in past several years, who mostly present with advanced stage. This trend is very alarming.

Aim: To determine the association of age with colorectal cancer in patients referred to a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Longitudinal, retrospective study

Place and duration of study: Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Nishtar Medical University Multan from 1st June 2018 to 28th February 2019.

Methodology: Seventy patients with confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer were recruited. Data regarding baseline patient’s demographics, presenting symptoms, diet intake history was taken for each patient. Patients having age <40 years were labelled as young. Frequency and percentages were calculated for age groups, diet intake and presenting symptoms.

Results: There were 54(77.15%) patients who were having age <40 years, there were 16(22.85%) patients who were having age 40-55 years. Regarding presenting symptoms, main presenting symptom was bleeding per rectum in 60(85.71%) patients, constipation in 50(71.42%), and paradoxical diarrhoea in 10(14.28%) patients. There were 50(71.42%) patients who were having history of red meat intake.

Conclusion: Incidence of colorectal cancer is now very high in young age. In present study we found colorectal cancer in 77.15% patients having age <40 years.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Young age, Tertiary care hospital