COLORECTAL CANCER IN THE YOUNG: A 10-YEAR REVIEW OF THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND OUTCOMES AT COTABATO REGIONAL AND MEDICAL CENTER Pagayaohamsar@gmail.com

PW01-15

COLORECTAL CANCER IN THE YOUNG: A 10-YEAR REVIEW OF THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND OUTCOMES AT COTABATO REGIONAL AND MEDICAL CENTER

3

Philippines

Oral or Poster

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, and second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Recent study shows that colorectal cancer is becoming more common in young populations. Currently, limited data in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, exist regarding colorectal cancer in the young.

This study is as a retrospective, cross-sectional study, conducted at Cotabato regional and medical center hospital, a tertiary healthcare facility with a 600-bed capacity. The study included biopsy proven colorectal cancer patients less than 50 years old admitted and managed from April 2016 to March 2025

A total of 121 patients with colorectal mass, below 50 years old, were admitted from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2025. A total of 44 colon(N=29) cancer and rectal (N=15) cancer patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. 55 patient data were excluded in this study due to incomplete demographic and histopathologic data. 4 patients had non cancer histopathologic diagnosis. And majority of excluded patients did not undergo definitive management. It was also shown in this study that colon cancer is mostly located in sigmoid colon and at the distal rectum for rectal cancers. Most colorectal tumors are well differentiated with lymph node involvement, but without distant metastasis.

Colorectal cancer in the young is a rising public health challenge as age on diagnosis are more seen in younger populations. Early screening, management and more aggressive patient navigation and follow up is beneficial in improving patient outcome.