JAMA Netw Open

What are the red flags that portend early-onset colon cancer?

May 31, 2024

Hematochezia and abdominal pain were seen in nearly half of patients—and altered bowel habits were seen in a quarter—who were diagnosed with colon cancer at an age younger than 50 years, according to this meta-analysis. Diagnosis was often delayed by months.

• This systematic review and meta-analysis of 81 studies (N=24.9 M patients) examined presenting signs and symptoms and made correlations to time from presentation to diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer (age <50 years old). Hereditary colorectal cancer patients were excluded.
• Hematochezia (conferring >5-fold increased risk), abdominal pain, and anemia were linked with higher likelihood of colon cancer diagnosis.
• The mean time from presenting signs and symptoms to diagnosis was 6.4 months, with a median of 4 months.

Source:

Demb J, et al. (2024, May 24). JAMA Net Open. Red Flag Signs and Symptoms for Patients With Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38787555/