Early onset colorectal cancer: A wakeup call

Objective: To determine the prevalence of early-onset colorectal cancer. Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted at the surgical unit I, Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi Colorectal department, from August 2018 to July 2022. The data were retrieved from the stored files and entered into the electronic web-based secured software i.e. Nrcrc.org. The data comprised of frequency of early-onset colorectal cancer, age of the patient, both male, and female, mode of admission, any co-morbidity, type of cancer, stage of the tumor, surgery, and chemoradiotherapy. Results: The total number of patients in the last four years were 176. There were 105 males and 71 females. Rectum (n=27; 72.1%) and rectosigmoid junction (n=16; 9.09%) were commonly involved sites by malignancy. The majority (70%) of patients were in stage 3. Conclusion: The incidence is increasing in patients under 50 years of age, which is alarming. Therefore, proper guidelines for diagnosis, management, awareness, and prevention should be established at the national level.