Outcomes of younger patients diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer.

500Background: The incidence of rectal cancer is higher in the older population. In developed nations there has been a rise in incidence in young onset rectal cancer (yRC). We evaluated and compared the presentation and survival outcomes of treatments for locally advanced rectal cancer in yRC patients to that of older patients. Methods: All cases of rectal cancers referred to a large tertiary referral cancer centre in Western Sydney between 2009-2016 were examined. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, treatment, clinico-pathological characteristics, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were obtained. Under 50 years old was used as the cut-off age for defining yRC. Results: One hundred sixty-two patients were identified, 33 in the yRC and 129 in the older patient group. The median age at diagnosis was 62 (24 – 92). Median follow-up was 40 months. There was no difference in presenting symptoms between the two groups, with per rectal bleeding being the most common symptom at presen...