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Regional patterns of early-onset colorectal cancer from the GEOCODE (Global Early-Onset COlorectal Cancer DatabasE)-European consortium: retrospective cohort study

M. Daca-Alvarez, José Perea, L. Corchete, A. Spinelli, C. Foppa, Noel F. F. C. de Miranda, Maartje Nielsen, C. Palles et al.

BJS Open, 2025

851 participants · 13 citations

Abstract

Abstract Background The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer is increasing, but in Europe this growth shows a heterogeneous pattern in different countries and regions. Methods Patients from six countries who participated in the Global Early-Onset COlorectal Cancer DatabasE (GEOCODE)-Europe group were included. The inclusion criteria were patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 18 and 49 years of age, between January 2010 and December 2017, with at least 3 years of follow-up. Patients with inherited colorectal cancer syndromes were excluded. Results A total of 851 patients were included with almost equal sex distribution, most were diagnosed at age 39 years or older and 42% of patients were overweight or obese. Diagnoses were predominantly at later stages (62.5% stage III–IV) and tumours were predominantly located in the distal colon (76.9% left colon and rectum). Comparative analysis between countries demonstrated that the UK had a younger age at diagnosis and the Italian cohort had a higher prevalence of being overweight or obese. Patients from Luxembourg had more advanced stage diagnoses and those from The Netherlands had more polyps. Patients from the UK had a greater family history of colorectal cancer. Comparison of Mediterranean versus non-Mediterranean countries showed significant differences in the age at diagnosis and body mass index. The prevalence of early-onset colorectal cancer over the age of 40 years in Mediterranean versus…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 851 participants or records.

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