Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer With Liver-Only Metastases Shows Distinct Biology and Survival Advantage
A real-world study of 1,691 Australians with colorectal cancer that spread only to the liver found that patients diagnosed at age 50 or younger have distinct tumor biology and clinical features (including left-sided tumors and different mutation patterns) and tended to survive longer after liver metastasis than older patients. Across ages, BRAF and KRAS mutations were linked to poorer outcomes. Surgery to remove liver tumors followed by systemic therapy was associated with better survival, though causality can’t be proven from observational data. The findings support biology-informed, personalized treatment decisions that consider more than just age.