Large bowel cancer in the young adult.

Within a month, we saw two young national servicemen with adenocarcinoma of the caecum. Both presented to use as emergencies and both had a right hemicolectomy performed. This literature review is to promote a greater awareness of the potential for colorectal cancer in young adults less than 40 years of age. The incidence ranged from 2% to 16.8% of all cases of large bowel cancer. About two-thirds of the tumours were Dukes' C and D at the time of presentation. There was a preponderance of poorly differentiated carcinoma and the mucinous type of carcinoma. Early diagnosis and attempts at curative resection are of utmost importance. Radical extirpation of advanced primary disease is well worthwhile and can be associated with long term survival in the young. Family history is important to identify a group of patients with cancer family syndrome.