A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Early‐Onset Colorectal Cancer in Sweden and Finland: A Multicentre Retrospective Cohort Study Over Three Decades




AuthorsCharalambidi, Melina; Hukkinen, Tanja; Kaprio, Tuomas; Edin, Sofia; Hjortborg, Mats; Williams, Cecilia; Hagström, Jaana; Haglund, Caj; Palmqvist, Richard; Strigård, Karin; Böckelman, Camilla; Gkekas, Ioannis

PublisherWiley

Publication year2026

Journal: Journal of Surgical Oncology

Article numberjso.70246

ISSN0022-4790

eISSN1096-9098

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/jso.70246

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.70246

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/516232293

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and the proportion of individuals diagnosed under the age of 50 years, referred to as early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the demographic and clinical features of EOCR in northern Sweden and Finland have changed over time. All patient data were extracted from local hospital surgical department databases between 1995 and 2022. Two CRC cohorts, Study Cohort I (1995-2005) 1237 patients and Study Cohort II (2006-2022) 4526 patients, were compared for age, sex, disease stage, tumour grade, tumour location, and mismatch repair status. EOCRC patients comprised 7% of all CRCs in Study Cohort I and 4% in Study Cohort II. The mean ages were 42 and 43 years respectively, and 55% of patients were female. The vast part of EOCRC tumours were left-sided stage III-IV cancers. Most tumours (n = 204, 73%) were low grade, and 10% showed mismatch repair deficiency. No significant differences in demographic or tumour characteristics were seen over time. EOCRC in northern Sweden and Finland is characterised by advanced-stage, low tumour grade, a slight female predominance, and stable clinical and pathological features. These findings partly contrast with reports on EOCRC from other high-income countries, highlighting the need for further research on advanced molecular characteristics and potential gender differences in incidence and survival of this population.


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Funding information in the publication
This project was supported by grants from the Cancer Foundation in Northern Sweden and the Finska Läkaresällskapet (Camilla Böckelman, Caj Haglund, and Tanja Hukkinen), the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation (Caj Haglund), Medicinska understödsföreningen Liv och Hälsa (Camilla Böckelman, Caj Haglund and Tuomas Kaprio).


Last updated on 08/04/2026 01:04:01 PM