Is colorectal carcinoma in the young a more deadly disease?

Of the 2923 cases of colorectal carcinoma treated from 1970 to 1981, only 12 (0.4%) were under the age of 30 years. Analysis of this group confirmed the higher incidence of more advanced tumours, as well as a higher frequency of predominantly mucin-secreting adenocarcinoma. Regardless of the mode of treatment, survival is particularly poor in the young patients, and, in our opinion, this is a reflection of the more aggressive behaviour of the type of carcinoma afflicting young patients.