Better Cancer-specific Survival in Younger Patients With Stage III Colorectal Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Study From Japan

Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to explore the perioperative, short-term, and long-term prognostic differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) between young and older patients.

Patients and methods: A total of 3095 patients were divided into young (≤45 years; n=139) and older (>45 years; n=2956) groups. Then, propensity score matching was performed for patients in stage I to III according to a ratio of 1:1. The clinicopathological factors and prognosis of the two groups were studied.

Results: Young patients with CRC account for 4.49% of the total number of patients with CRC. Younger patients with CRC in stage I to III showed better cancer-specific survival (CSS). Older age was an independent risk factor for CSS prognosis. The CSS of the younger group was significantly better in stage I to III as a whole, but there was no difference in stage I and II subgroups - only in stage III. The proportion of young patients with stage III disease receiving first-line adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly higher. When young patients relapsed, they were more likely to receive second-line adjuvant chemotherapy or reoperation than older patients.

Conclusion: Younger patients with stage III colorectal cancer had better CSS rates.