The effect of age on the behavior of carcinoma of the colon and rectum

Abstract

Conclusions Although carcinoma of the colon and rectum is dramatically more common in older persons, its behavior, once it has developed, is similar at all ages. Hence, a factor associated with aging affects the development of cancer of the colon and rectum, but not the behavior of the developed tumor. Therefore, therapy should not be altered simply because the patient is young or old.