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Review
. 2022 Jan 15;14(1):230-241.
doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i1.230.

Early-onset colorectal cancer: Current insights and future directions

Claudia Wing-Kwan Wu  1 , Rashid N Lui  1
Affiliations
Review

Early-onset colorectal cancer: Current insights and future directions

Claudia Wing-Kwan Wu et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. .

Abstract

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) has seen an alarming rise worldwide over the past two decades. The reason for this global trend is poorly understood. EOCRC appears to have its own unique clinical and molecular features when compared with late-onset colorectal cancer. Younger patients appear to have more distal or rectal disease, a more advanced stage of disease at presentation, and more unfavorable histological features. Identifying risk factors for EOCRC is the first step in mitigating the rising burden of this disease. Here we summarize several noteworthy biological factors and environmental exposures that are postulated to be responsible culprits. This can hopefully translate in clinical practice to the development of better risk stratification tool for identifying high-risk individuals for early colorectal cancer screening, and identifying areas needed for further research to curb this rising trend.

Keywords: Early-onset colorectal cancer; Environmental exposures; Genetics; Microbiome; Risk factors; Young-onset colorectal cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Factors implicated in early-onset colorectal cancer. Image source for colon: https://img.icons8.com. CRC: Colorectal cancer; SSB: Sugar sweetened beverages.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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