Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Detection

Colorectal cancer (CRC) once predominantly affected older individuals, but in recent years has witnessed a progressive increase in incidence among young adults. Once rare, early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC, that is, a CRC diagnosed before the age of 50) now constitutes 10-15% of all newly diagnosed CRC cases and it stands as the first cause of cancer-related death in young men and the second for young women. This study aims to detect EOCRC with a non-invasive test, using a blood-based molecular assay based on microRNA (ribonucleic acid)

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

50 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Stage I, II, III, IV colorectal cancer (TNM classification, 8th edition) diagnosed before the age of 50 (EOCRC cases)
* Received standard diagnostic and staging procedures as per local guidelines, and at least one sample was drawn before receiving any curative-intent treatment
* Colonoscopy-proven cancer-free status at the time of study inclusion (Non-disease controls)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes (identified through genetic testing)
* Inflammatory bowel diseases
* Lack of written informed consent

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