This study aims to investigate the clinical, socioeconomic, behavioral, genetic, and molecular factors characterizing Early Onset Colorectal Cancer (EOCRC) patients compared with Late Onset Colorectal Cancer (LOCRC) patients
Early Onset Colorectal Cancer (EOCRC), defined as a Colorectal Cancer (CRC) arising before the age of 50, is increasing and displays more aggressive features compared with Late Onset Colorectal Cancer (LOCRC, with a diagnosis after the age of 50). EOCRC patients have indeed a higher incidence rate of CRC recurrence after surgery compared with LOCRC, even at early CRC stages (stage I or II). The reasons underlying the more aggressive patterns are almost unknown but may span and can be represented by a combination of socioeconomic factors (including low economic income and access to screening programs, diagnosis, or therapy), behavioral and lifestyle factors (including diet, sedentary behaviors, or increased stress and anxiety), and molecular or genetic factors. The aim of this study is to prospectively validate our previous retrospective findings, demonstrating a higher incidence rate of CRC recurrence in early stage EOCRC, and explore the possible association between lifestyle, dietary, socioeconomics, molecular and genetic factors and postoperative CRC survival.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
340
Questionnaires compilation and sample collection
IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital
Rozzano, MI, Italy
RECRUITINGIncidence rate ratio of colorectal cancer recurrence
Incidence rate ratio of 24-month colorectal cancer recurrence- defined as any radiological or endoscopic evidence of local recurrence or distal metastasis after the index surgery in stage I-III patients- between the study cohorts
Time frame: 24 months after surgery
Correlation between lifestyle and incidence rate of colorectal cancer recurrence
Compare the association between physical activity, dietary, and lifestyle behaviors and 24-month colorectal cancer recurrence in the study cohorts.
Time frame: 24 months after surgery
Correlation between genetic profile and incidence rate of colorectal cancer recurrence
Compare the association between the genetic profile of the surgical specimens, as identified by whole exome sequencing of the fresh and paraffin-embedded tumor specimen, and the 24-month CRC recurrence in the study cohorts
Time frame: 24 months after surgery
Correlation between molecular profile and incidence rate of colorectal cancer recurrence
Compare the association between the molecular profile of the serum samples and surgical specimens, as identified by RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic analyses at different time points during the follow-up, and 24-month CRC recurrence between the study cohorts
Time frame: 24 months after surgery
Correlation between socioeconomic characteristics and incidence rate of colorectal cancer recurrence
Compare the association between socioeconomic characteristics, including access to health resources and inclusion in screening programs or experimental therapies, and 24-month CRC recurrence in the study cohorts.
Time frame: 24 months after surgery
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