Dr Ng on Treatment Considerations for Younger Patients With CRC

Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, associate chief, Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology, director, Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center, co-director, Colon and Rectal Cancer Center, physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; associate professor, medicine, Harvard Medical School, discusses treatment considerations for younger patients with colorectal cancer.

Medical treatment for younger and older patients with CRC is largely the same, but there are critical differences that need to be considered before starting treatment, Ng says. Specifically, all younger patients who receive a diagnosis of CRC should undergo germline genetic testing to determine whether they have a hereditary predisposition to the disease, which can inform treatment and screening for family members, Ng explains. Discussions regarding fertility preservation are also crucial for younger patients before initiating treatment, as chemotherapy and other cancer therapies can affect fertility. These conversations are a key part of the care plan for younger patients who may want to have children in the future.

Younger patients also face unique challenges as part of the sandwich generation, simultaneously caring for young children and aging parents, Ng says. These patients experience heightened psychosocial distress, as the diagnosis and treatment of their disease can disrupt careers and education, further intensifying the emotional and psychological burden they face.

Specialized centers, such as the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, help to address the unique needs of younger patients with CRC. These centers provide comprehensive care that includes not only medical treatment but also psychosocial support, fertility counseling, and resources tailored to the specific challenges faced by younger patients.

Such a multidisciplinary approach can help improve the overall quality of life for individuals managing a cancer diagnosis during a critical time in both their personal and professional lives, Ng concludes.