Colorectal and Anal Tumors

Cancers of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and among the most common cancers affecting men and women alike. Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum and anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the predominant diseases in this category. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in the US population with nearly 140,000 new cases diagnosed and over 50,000 deaths from CRC in 2014 [1]. The incidence of CRC in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) has been increasing in recent years. Anal SCC is less common, but its incidence is also increasing. Malignancy of the lower GI tract in the AYA population will be reviewed in this chapter.