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You may have heard that colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting young adults. However, it is not the only gastrointestinal (GI) cancer that doctors are diagnosing in patients below the age of 50, explains Christina Wu, M.D., an oncologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona.
“People under 50 are not too young to develop gastrointestinal cancers,” Dr. Wu says. “If young adults notice new or persistent symptoms, it’s important to get them worked up.”
At Mayo Clinic, early-onset gastrointestinal cancers are defined as GI cancers diagnosed in people under 50 years old. Research shows that the most common type of early-onset GI cancer worldwide is colorectal cancer, followed by stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer. Less common types of early-onset GI cancers include bile duct, gallbladder, appendix, neuroendocrine and small bowel cancers.
“More research needs to be done to understand what causes the rise in incidence of early-onset GI cancers,” Dr. Wu says. “We know that certain factors can increase the risk of developing GI cancers, and early detection gives patients a better chance of successful treatment.”
Risk factors
Several factors can increase the risk of developing early-onset GI cancers, including genetic conditions, chronic diseases and lifestyle:
• Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis are hereditary conditions that are associated with an increased risk of early-onset colorectal cancers.
• Inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis can increase the risk of developing GI cancers such as colorectal cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively.
• A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diets high in processed foods, alcohol consumption, smoking and environmental exposures may be associated with an increased risk of GI cancers.
Early detection and symptoms
Recommendations for when people at average risk for colorectal cancer should be screened vary by country but generally start in their 40s or early 50s. In the U.S., colorectal cancer screening is recommended to start at age 45 for people at average risk; people with risk factors such as a family history of colorectal cancer may need to start screening earlier.
Having a primary care clinician, getting regular health checkups and discussing any health concerns with a healthcare professional can help determine what screening or tests may be needed, depending on individual risk factors.
In some cases, symptoms of early-onset GI cancers may present and be associated with specific cancer types:
• Unintentional weight loss with jaundice and pain may indicate pancreatic cancer.
• Weight loss, pain, and difficulty eating or swallowing may be linked to stomach cancer.
• A persistent change in bowel habits, abdominal pain and iron-deficiency anemia may be associated with colorectal cancer.
“Any new symptoms that are persistent or worrisome should prompt a visit to a healthcare professional to get checked out,” Dr. Wu says. “If symptoms are ignored or not investigated, young adults may experience a delay between when they first experience symptoms and a cancer diagnosis. Recognizing symptoms early is important,” Dr. Wu explains.
Tailoring care for younger adults
Young adults diagnosed with GI cancers often need multidisciplinary care due to differences in cancer biology, as well as unique social and life-stage needs.
“Before starting treatment, we perform genetic testing and tumor profiling to identify mutations that may guide targeted therapies,” says Dr. Wu. “These advances allow us to provide more personalized and effective treatment for our patients.”
In addition, young adults may require support, such as fertility preservation and resources to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Mayo Clinic’s Early-Onset and Hereditary GI Cancers Program provides specialized, multidisciplinary care for this patient population.
Innovations in treatment
With advances in genetic testing and tumor profiling, cancer care teams can provide more personalized and targeted treatments, including immunotherapy in some cases, and identify patients who may be eligible for clinical trials. Analysis of the tumor helps guide treatment decisions and identify appropriate therapies.
For certain GI cancers, treatment may involve a combination of chemotherapy, radiation (including proton beam therapy) and surgery. Advances in treatment, including minimally invasive approaches and immunotherapy, are improving care for some GI cancers.
Mayo Clinic researchers have been exploring the use of artificial intelligence as an additional aid in the detection of GI cancers such as colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer.