Colonic cancer in adolescents. A report of three cases

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant neoplasm in adults, with a peak incidence of 60–79 years. About 1 million cases of the disease and half a million deaths associated with it are reported world-wide each year. Colorectal cancer, however, is very uncommon in children and adolescents. This is a presentation of 3 cases of colon cancer in Nigerians aged 17 and 19 years. Two of them were adenocarcinoma and the other leiomyosarcoma. The pathogenesis and aspects of management are discussed.

Colorectal Cancer in Adolescence: A Report of Two Cases

“…If there is no difference in symptoms between adults and children [13], the differences in duration of symptoms, often exceeding 6 months among pediatric population are striking and have been noted in earlier reports [14]. This is because many of the clinical features are non-specific and similar to those found in common childhood problems such appendicitis, gastro-enteritis and simple constipation and the rarity of colon cancer in pediatric population [9,15]. CRC can also be found at surgery for intussusception, bowel obstruction, or perforation, as well as incidentally during a surgical or radiologic procedure for other reasons acute presentations, account for almost 50% of presentations in some pediatric reports [2,16].…”

Bone metastasis from colon carcinoma in an 11-year-old boy: radiological features and brief review of the literature

“…Different genetic mutations may contribute to the onset of colon cancer [9,10]. They include chromosomal instability in APC-β catenin pathway characterized by the presence of mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene and K-RAS gene, and loss of p53 genes: this is responsible for the formation of a small adenoma which grows with time, becomes dysplastic, and finally gives rise to a colon cancer (the adenoma-carcinoma sequence) [11]. Other mutations can affect genes involved in DNA mismatch repair, which are MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS1, and PMS2.…”

“…Other mutations can affect genes involved in DNA mismatch repair, which are MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS1, and PMS2. They are involved in 15 % of sporadic cases of colon cancer and in the hereditary non-polyposis colonic cancer [11,12].…”