Proton Therapy in Early-Onset Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: The Importance of Fertility-Preserving Multimodality Care

The rising incidence and mortality of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as disease occurring in patients younger than 50, has emerged as a clinically significant trend with implications for screening, diagnosis, and survivorship.

April 28, 2026
5 min

Baptist Health South Florida

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Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is increasingly prevalent, with younger patients often presenting with advanced disease due to delayed diagnosis.
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A 37-year-old female with stage III rectal cancer underwent multimodality therapy, including systemic chemotherapy and proton therapy, to preserve fertility.
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Proton therapy offers significant dosimetric advantages, minimizing radiation exposure to non-target pelvic tissues, which is crucial for younger patients.
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The patient tolerated proton therapy well, experiencing minimal side effects and achieving clear surgical margins with no residual disease.
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Multidisciplinary care and personalized treatment strategies are essential in managing EOCRC, focusing on long-term quality of life and fertility preservation.

Proton Therapy in Early-Onset Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: The Importance of Fertility-Preserving Multimodality Care

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Original Source(s)

Proton Therapy in Early-Onset Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: The Importance of Fertility-Preserving Multimodality Care

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