Incidence, treatment and relative survival of early-onset colorectal cancer in the Netherlands since 1989. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swartjes, Hidde; Brouwer, Nelleke P.M.; de Nes, Lindsey C.F.; van Erning, Felice N.; Verhoeven, Rob H.A.; Vissers, Pauline A.J.; de Wilt, Johannes H.W.
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer. Volume 166(2022)
• Page Start: 134
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Colorectal neoplasms -- Epidemiology∗ -- Colorectal Neoplasms -- Therapy∗ -- Incidence -- Age of onset -- Survival analysis; Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Cancer; Tumors; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.01.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-8049

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: Previous studies showed that the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC, diagnosis <50 years) is rising in Western countries. Additionally, young patients present with more advanced disease. Integrated nationwide assessment of epidemiologically and clinically relevant trends would provide more insight into this specific group of patients with CRC. We aimed to provide an analysis of trends in age- and stage-specific incidence, characteristics, treatment and relative survival of patients with EO-CRC in the Netherlands and compare these with 50- to 59-year-old patients. Methods: Data from 1989 to 2018 were retrieved from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Non-standardised age-specific incidence rates were calculated, and trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression. Treatment and 5-year relative survival trends were provided and compared between EO-CRC and 50- to 59-year-old patients. Results: The EO-CRC incidence annually increased with 0.7–2.1% over the last decades. CRC incidence for the 50- to 59-year-old population annually increased with 0.8–1.7% until 2006 and showed a major increase in incidence after the introduction of nationwide screening in 2014. Stage III and Stage IV CRC primarily increased across the studied age groups, while Stage I and Stage II CRC did not. Patients with EO-CRC received multimodal treatment more often than 50- to 59-year-old patients, but differences were minor. Relative survival increased over time and showed little differences between EO-CRC and 50- to 59-year-old patients. Concluding statement: Only few epidemiological and clinical differences were found between EO-CRC and 50- to 59-year-old patients; hence, the urge for a specific approach of EO-CRC in screening and treatment guidelines might be tempered. Highlights: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) incidence increased in the Netherlands with 0.7–2.1% over the last decades. This increase in incidence was highly comparable to the 50- to 59-year-old population. EO-CRC treatment and relative survival differed slightly from 50- to 59-year-old patients with CRC. The urge for a specific approach of EO-CRC in guidelines might be tempered.