Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41080320›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Presentation of Rectal Cancer Among Young Adults in a Tertiary Care Center.

Amna Fareed, Mazhar Iqbal, Syed Shafqatullah, Naeem Khan, Resham Ali, Raja Jawad, Ali Muhammad Rahuja, Sarkhail A Sayar

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Amna FareedGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.
Mazhar IqbalGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.
Syed ShafqatullahGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.
Naeem KhanGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.
Resham AliGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.
Raja JawadGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.
Ali Muhammad RahujaGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.
Sarkhail A SayarGeneral and Colorectal Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, PAK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRectal cancer, once predominantly associated with older adults, has shown a rising incidence among young adults in recent decades. This trend raises significant concerns about diagnostic delays, advanced disease presentation, and the unique challenges faced by this population. This study investigates the patterns and characteristics of rectal cancer among young adults presenting to a tertiary care center over a six-month period. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted, reviewing patients aged 18-45 years diagnosed with rectal cancer between January 2025 and June 2025. Data were collected on demographics, clinical presentation, tumor staging, histopathology, and treatment modalities. Statistical analyses were performed to identify trends and correlations, particularly focusing on symptomatology and delays in diagnosis.

resultsA total of 73 young adults (n = 73) were included, with a mean age of 32.5 ± 7.2 years. There was a male predominance, with 44 patients (60.3%) being male. The most common presenting symptom was per rectal bleeding, reported in 54 patients (74.0%), followed by altered bowel habits with lower abdominal pain in 10 patients (13.7%). Delayed diagnosis was common, as 53 patients (72.6%) presented at advanced stages (stage IIIB or IV). The lower rectum was the most frequent tumor site, observed in 35 patients (47.9%). Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological subtype in 41 patients (56.2%), with a high prevalence of poorly differentiated tumors in 47 patients (64.4%) and signet ring cell carcinoma in 22 patients (30.1%). Common associated risk factors included a low-fiber diet in 42 patients (57.5%) and smoking in 18 patients (24.7%).

conclusionThe rising incidence of rectal cancer in young adults and its tendency to present at advanced stages highlight the critical need for increased awareness among both clinicians and the public. Early recognition of symptoms and timely diagnostic evaluations are essential to improving outcomes. Targeted strategies, including awareness campaigns and risk stratification in younger populations, are recommended to address this emerging healthcare challenge.

Indexed as

early detection of cancerneoplasm stagingrectal neoplasmssignet ring cell carcinomayoung adult

Identifiers

PMID41080320
PMCPMC12513569

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