Retrospective study examines diagnostic delays and advanced-stage presentation in young Mexican patients, highlighting critical gaps.
Key Points
To quantify the diagnostic and treatment pathways of Mexican patients with early-onset colorectal cancer and examine their association with advanced-stage presentation.
Single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study of EOCRC patients under 50 in Mexico City from Jan 2016 to June 2026.
Diagnostic intervals reconstructed using the Aarhus framework; clinical stages III-IV identified as advanced stages.
Multivariable logistic regression analyzed factors associated with advanced stage, comparing patients with computable intervals.
Among 226 patients, 78% presented with advanced stages (III-IV), with a median delay from symptom onset to treatment of 243 days.
67% of patients experienced delays exceeding 180 days; 36% had diagnostic intervals over 90 days.
Advanced stage was independently associated with rectal location (adjusted OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.52-5.78; p = 0.001) and higher carcinoembryonic antigen levels (p < 0.001).