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Comparison of the demographic characteristics of pediatric and adult colorectal cancer patients: a national inpatient sample based analysis

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Abstract

Background

Colorectal cancer in children is rare, but characterized by late presentation, unfavorable histology and poor prognosis. Risk factors for colorectal cancer in children overlap with those for adults with greater influence of hereditary syndromes. The epidemiology of colon cancer in children is poorly understood; the aim of this study was to characterize and compare the demographics and relevant clinical characteristics of pediatric and adult colon cancer, using a national inpatient sample.

Methods

The AHRQ online resource HCUPnet/KID database was queried for children, under the age of 18 admitted with ICD 9 CM diagnoses relating to colorectal cancer, at the time of discharge. For comparison, the corresponding diagnoses in adult patients were queried for each successive year. Patient demographics including residential type and median income by zip-code, tumor localization; if recorded, and mean hospital charges were all accrued and analyzed.

Results

Inpatient admissions for pediatric colorectal cancer were more likely male (54%), in the 15–17 years age bracket (57%). They were significantly more likely from Southwestern regions of the Unites States, and were significantly more likely from residential zip-codes identified as at or below the lowest income quartile than adult CRC patients or pediatric patients as a whole. Hospital charges have more than quadrupled over the time period studied (1997–2012).

Conclusions

Pediatric colorectal cancer is the most common primary gastrointestinal malignancy in children. Better understanding associated risk factors including those associated with gender, geographic region and social economic status may contribute to future prevention or early detection strategies.

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Funding

The study was funded by internal departmental research resources at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Thomas M. Attard

  2. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA

    Thomas M. Attard

  3. Division of Genetics, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Caitlin E. Lawson

Authors
  1. Thomas M. Attard
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  2. Caitlin E. Lawson
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Contributions

ATM and LCE contributed to the inception of the study and review of the data contained herein, ATM accessed and analyzed the relevant data, ATM wrote and LCE reviewed and revised the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas M. Attard.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

This study was approved by Children’s Mercy Hospital (CRC-NHS Analysis, 17100572).

Conflict of interest

No financial or nonfinancial benefits have been received or will be received from any party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

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Attard, T.M., Lawson, C.E. Comparison of the demographic characteristics of pediatric and adult colorectal cancer patients: a national inpatient sample based analysis. World J Pediatr 15, 37–41 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-018-0187-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-018-0187-x

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