Colorectal Neoplasms in Young Vietnamese Individuals with First-degree Relatives Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly prevalent, particularly among individuals with first-degree relatives (FDRs) diagnosed with CRC. Delayed colonoscopy beyond the recommended age increases the risk of advanced neoplasia and late-stage CRC. This study aims to characterize colorectal neoplasms in adults under 50 years of age with an FDR history of CRC. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on outpatients aged 18–49 years with an FDR history of CRC who presented with lower gastrointestinal symptoms and underwent colonoscopy at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam. All endoscopic lesions suspected of colorectal neoplasia were removed and subsequently reviewed for histopathological examination. Results: Among 76 patients with FDRs diagnosed with CRC, the mean age was 40.2 ± 6.5 years, with a male-tofemale ratio of 1:1.3. A total of 27 neoplastic lesions were identified in 20 patients, including 22 adenomas (81.5%), 3 sessile serrated lesions (11.1%), and 2 adenocarcinomas (7.4%). Overall, colorectal neoplasms were detected in 26.3% (20/76) of patients, with advanced colorectal neoplasia accounting for 9.2% (7/76), including 2.6% (2/76) adenocarcinomas. The incidence of advanced colorectal neoplasms was higher but not significantly different in the delayed colonoscopy group than in the screening group in terms of adherence to the guidelines (11.8% vs. 4%, p = 0.41). Conclusion: The prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in young Vietnamese individuals with an FDR history of CRC is significantly high.