A Single Center Experience of Adolescents and Young Adults with Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) tumors are predominantly seen among middle-aged and elderly persons. However, there are reports of an increasing incidence among adolescents and young adults.

Objective: We sought to describe the morphological characteristics of malignancies involving the GIT among adolescents and young  adults in our center.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of all histologically diagnosed cases of gastrointestinal malignancies in persons  between the ages of 10 and 35, over a 10-year period (2010–2019).

Results: There were 79 cases of GIT tumors in adolescents and young adults during the study period amounting to 14.2% of total GIT  malignancies. The male: female ratio was 1:1.1. Colonic malignancies predominated, accounting for 75% of cases; these were mostly  adenocarcinomas. Gastric cancers showed a female predilection; small intestinal tumors were observed more in males.

Conclusion: Gastrointestinal tract tumors affecting adolescents and young adults are not uncommon. Most of these tumors are  adenocarcinomas and affect the colon. Gastric cancers showed a female predilection.