Early-Onset Rectosigmoid Junction Cancer Treated With Laparoscopic Anterior Resection and Indocyanine Green-Guided Anastomosis Within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol: A Case Report

Colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed in individuals under 50 years of age is referred to as early-onset CRC. In recent decades, a significant increase in both its incidence and mortality has been observed. These patients are frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, which is associated with a higher likelihood of presenting with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. We present the clinical case of a 35-year-old male patient with colon cancer. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system, the clinical stage corresponded to stage I (T2N0M0). No molecular testing was performed due to the early clinical stage. His perioperative management included the implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, aimed at optimizing postoperative recovery. In addition, intraoperative assessment of intestinal perfusion using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence facilitated a minimally invasive surgical approach. The case is complemented by a literature review on early-onset colon cancer, with the aim of highlighting age-related differences in CRC incidence and analyzing potential factors contributing to the rising incidence and mortality in younger patients.