Clinicopathological Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Rectal Carcinoma in Patients Under 40 Years of Age: A Prospective Case Study

Dr. K Agasya Raj, Dr. Shivam Labana, Dr. Ashoak Acharya, Dr. Somenath Mazumder, Dr. Debashis Nanda, Dr. Ashutosh Dhal

Abstract: Background: As we enter the twenty-first century, rectal cancer continues to be a significant medical and social problem. Carcinoma rectum in combination with carcinoma colon is the most common malignancy in the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, rectal cancer comprises nearly 30% of all colorectal cancers. Carcinoma of the rectum in combination with carcinoma of the colon is the third most common site of new cancer cases and deaths in both men (following prostate and lung/bronchus) and women (following breast and lung/bronchus) in the western world. Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted at Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital, Bhubaneswar from March 2023 to March 2025. It included the patients admitted with rectal carcinoma in the department of general surgery and who have received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy in the department of radiotherapy & medical oncology. Each patient underwent thorough clinical evaluation and due emphasis was given on the pathology of the carcinoma and the treatment received. Result: In this clinicopathological study of rectal carcinoma, we studied 25 cases of rectal carcinoma in patients who were below 40 years of age. It has been clearly seen that a major percentage of patients with rectal carcinoma were from this younger population. In this study, the peak incidence of rectal carcinoma in this younger age group was found in the third decade of life (48%). The male: female ratio was found 1.78:1. Two patients had positive family history (8%). About 9?2% of patients in the study were non vegetarian. Among these 25 cases, 4 cases (12%) presented in the emergency department with features of intestinal obstruction. Rest of the cases attended the out patient?s department with variable symptoms. The average duration of symptoms was found to be 7 - 12 months. Carcinoma arising in lower part of rectum presented earlier.

Keywords: Carcinoma rectum, Carcinoma colon, prospective study, Carcinoma under 40, Observational study, clinicopathological study

How to Cite?: Dr. K Agasya Raj, Dr. Shivam Labana, Dr. Ashoak Acharya, Dr. Somenath Mazumder, Dr. Debashis Nanda, Dr. Ashutosh Dhal, "Clinicopathological Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Rectal Carcinoma in Patients Under 40 Years of Age: A Prospective Case Study", Volume 14 Issue 10, October 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 905-912, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251017025313, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251017025313