Racial disparities negatively impact outcomes in early-onset colorectal cancer independent of socioeconomic status

Background The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients under age 50 is rising for unclear reasons. We examined the effects of socioeconomic factors on outcomes for patients with early-onset CRC compared to late-onset CRC. Methods Patients with CRC from 2004 to 2015 in the National Cancer Database were included and categorized by age (under or over 50 years). Differences in demographic and socioeconomic factors, disease characteristics, and survival outcomes between early-onset versus late-onset CRC patients were assessed by Chi-squared test and Cox models. Results The study population included 1,061,204 patients, 108,058 (10.2%) of whom were under age 50. The proportion of patients diagnosed under age 50 increased over time: 9.4% in 2004-2006, 10.1% in 2007-2009, 10.5% in 2010-2012, and 10.7% in 2013-2015 (p < 0.0001). Early-onset CRC patients were more likely to be Black (15.1% vs. 11.3%) or Hispanic (8.6% vs. 4.6%) and to present with stage 4 disease (24.9% vs. 17.0%), p < 0.0001 for all. Black patients had the worst median OS (58.3 months) compared to White (67.0 months), Hispanic (91.6 months), or Asian (104.9 months) patients, p < 0.0001. Within the subgroup of early-onset CRC patients with private insurance, Black patients had worse OS compared to White patients, even in communities with higher income and education status. Conclusions Early-onset CRC continues to increase. Patients with early-onset CRC are more likely to be Black or Hispanic and to present with stage 4 cancer. Early-onset Black patients showed worse OS compared to White patients in all income subgroups, even with private insurance.

Automated summary

The study showed a rising incidence of colorectal cancer in patients under 50 years old. Patients with early-onset CRC were more likely to be Black or Hispanic, and present with advanced stage cancer. Black patients had worse overall survival compared to other races, even in higher income communities with private insurance.