Symptom burden over time among early-onset young adult colorectal cancer survivors.

Authors

null

Justin Cheng

Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA;

Justin Cheng , Bahram Nadim , Julia Stal , Sally Cohen-Cutler , Phuong Gallagher , Jonathan N Kaslander , Priscilla Marin , Afsaneh Barzi , Heinz-Josef Lenz , David R. Freyer , Kimberly Ann Miller

Organizations

Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA; , Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA; , Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; , The Colon Club, Burbank, CA; , University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; , City of Hope National Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA; , Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA;

Research Funding

Other
The Aflac Archie Bleyer Young Investigator Award in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology from the Children's Oncology Group, NCI Cancer Center Support Grant from the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Background: From 1995-2016, rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) have increased among young adults (YA) under 50 years by 2% annually, despite overall rates of CRC among adults over age 65 decreasing. Unfortunately, this population is disproportionately affected by diagnosis at later stage of disease due to systematic and healthcare factors. Such late diagnoses are associated with higher symptom burden among survivors; however, symptom burden among YA early-onset CRC (EOCRC) survivors is poorly understood. The present study aims to characterize symptom burden among YA EOCRC survivors. Methods: A cross sectional survey was administered online in collaboration with a national organization for YA CRC survivors. Respondents (18-49 years) were EOCRC survivors who were 6-36 months from diagnosis/relapse. Survivors endorsed symptoms they experienced among 23 common CRC late effects. Responses were stratified by symptom duration (6-18 versus 19-36 months) to examine differences in endorsement rates among respondents. Results: Respondents (n=235) were colon (n=86) and rectal (n=149) cancer survivors, primarily male 63%, diagnosed at 32.4 years (SD=6.65), with an average of 5.1 (SD=2.57) symptoms. Overall, the most highly reported symptoms were fatigue, perceived change in appearance after treatment, and nail color changes. Comparisons of 6-18 and 19-36 months-from-diagnosis groups revealed similar symptom endorsement rates, with those 19-36 months from diagnosis endorsing constipation/diarrhea, anal bleeding, and incisional discomfort at higher rates than those 6-18 months from diagnosis. The 6-18 and 19-36 months-from-diagnosis groups carried similar symptom burdens of 4.9 (SD=2.57) and 5.1 (SD=2.58), respectively. Conclusions: YA EOCRC survivors endorse numerous symptoms that may interfere with their daily living and quality of life. Similarities in endorsement between 6-18 month and 19-36-month groups suggest symptoms may become chronic and persist beyond cancer treatment. Fortunately, many symptoms can be mitigated or prevented with proper medical and/or psychosocial intervention, patient education, and resource availability. Providers can leverage these findings in their evaluation of YA EOCRC patients during treatment and follow-up care to ensure the delivery of optimal symptom management.

Late effects endorsed by EOCRC survivors 6-18 months versus 19-36 months from diagnosis (N[%]).
Late Effects6-18 Months (N=157)19-36 Months (N=78)Total (N=235)
Fatigue73 (46.5)33 (42.3)106 (45.1)
Perceived change in appearance59 (37.6)30 (38.5)89 (37.9)
Nail color changes60 (38.2)25 (32.1)85 (36.2)
Pain or difficulty chewing and/or swallowing55 (35.0)23 (29.5)78 (33.2)
Skin color changes51 (32.5)26 (33.3)77 (32.8)
Abdominal pain49 (31.2)24 (30.8)73 (31.1)
Pain making it difficult to work or do daily activities46 (29.3)25 (32.1)71 (30.2)
Constipation/Diarrhea45 (28.7)27 (34.6)72 (30.6)

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus

Track

Colorectal Cancer,Anal Cancer

Sub Track

Symptoms, Toxicities, and Whole-Person Care

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 4; abstr 88)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.4_suppl.88

Abstract #

88

Poster Bd #

E5

Abstract Disclosures

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