Colorectal carcinoma in children, adolescents, and young adults.

The authors conducted a retrospective evaluation of patients younger than 30 years with colorectal carcinoma in Argentina. Patients were divided into group 1 (patients treated at pediatric institutions from 0 to 20 years of age, n = 14) and group 2 (patients from 21 to 30, n = 7, treated at adult centers). Group 1 had significantly more advanced disease and a poorer prognosis. Six patients (2/14 in group 1 and 4/7 in group 2) survive disease-free. Thirteen patients died of progressive disease, 1 died of a non-tumor-related cause, and 1 is still on treatment. Patients younger than 20 years have a poorer prognosis, probably because of advanced disease on presentation.