Colon cancer looks different in young people — and often more aggressive, a new study found

A new study published in Nature Medicine has uncovered key differences between colon cancer tumors in younger and older patients. The research, which analyzed 189 tumors from colorectal cancer patients aged 29 to 94, reveals that younger patients often experience more aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of the disease. Dr. Ana Anderson, a co-senior author of the study, said that while the exact reasons for these differences remain unclear, the findings could serve as a launching point for further investigation into the role of lifestyle factors and environmental exposures in colon cancer development.

The study discovered that younger patients generally have more fibroblasts, a type of stromal cell that can create a protective "shield" around tumors, making them more resistant to chemotherapy. Additionally, younger patients had higher activity of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are associated with cellular signaling in cancer.

These lncRNAs may contribute to stronger cell-to-cell signaling, potentially aiding in cancer cell movement and invasion. While the study does not definitively conclude that younger patients always have more aggressive tumors, it does suggest that they may be more resistant to standard chemotherapy treatments. The researchers also noted that lower numbers of stromal cells in older patients correlate with fewer protective factors for the tumor.