Digestive tract neoplasms in young individuals: Demographics, staging and risk factors

BACKGROUND: Digestive tract neoplasms (DTN) have become increasingly common worldwide among young individuals (YIs) over the last few decades. AIM: Aim of this research was to study the types, demographics, stage at presentation and risk factors of digestive tract neoplasms in young individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this cross‐sectional study, YI (ie, ≤40 years) presenting with any DTN including gastrointestinal neoplasms (GIN), hepatobiliary neoplasms (HBN), periampullary neoplasms (PAN) and others from June 2016 to May 2020 were included. Baseline laboratory tests, tissue diagnosis and staging were performed while risk factors were documented. A total of 163 patients were included in the study, of whom 82 (50.3%) were males. Mean age was 29.9 (±9.57) (range: 8 months‐40 years). Most DTN (93.3%; n = 152) were malignant. The commonest neoplasms were lower GIN (LGIN) 52 (31.9%), followed by HBN 46 (28.2%), upper GIN (UGIN) 44 (27%) and PAN 18 (11%). Commonest among LGIN were rectal 37; among HBN: hepatocellular cancer (HCC) 9, cholangiocarcinoma (CC) 9; and among UGIN: esophageal 25 and stomach 14. Rectal cancers were mostly sporadic (82.7%) with frequent signet ring cell histology (40.5%), and affected relatively younger ages compared to upper GIN and PAN. GIN were mostly locally advanced with higher resectability (LGIN 90.4%; UGIN 79.5%) while HBN were more advanced with lower resectability (HCC [44.4%]; CC [33.3%]). Poor dietary habits and poor socioeconomic status were common with UGIN (63.6%, 50%) and HBN (56.5%, 54.3%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The commonest DTN among YI were LGIN followed by HBN, UGIN and PAN. Rectal cancers affected relatively younger ages and were mostly sporadic. HBN were more advanced in stage and unresectable compared to GIN. Poor dietary habits and poor socioeconomic status may be important contributors in carcinogenesis.