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Simple Summary: In this review, the authors will discuss the highlights of early onset colon cancer (EOCRC), an increasing but still unclear phenomenon. Indeed, the risk factors are largely similar to classic colon cancer (CRC), but it is still unclear what causes an increased risk of CRC at an early age. In addition, the issue of screening, which allows early diagnosis of the disease, is also important; the younger segment of the population is not included in such programs except if they belong to the highest-risk groups. If the phenomenon of EOCRC becomes more prominent, screening programs will have to be reviewed but with consideration of the consequences for health economics. In this review, we will focus on the epidemiological, prognostic, clinico-pathological, molecular, and therapeutic features of EOCRC; in particular, we will try to highlight the characteristics of the metastatic stage and the differences with CRC in older segments of the population. Despite a recent overall decrease in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality, there has been a significant rise in CRC diagnoses in young adults. Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is defined as CRC diagnosed before the age of 50. Possible predisposing conditions include not only genetic syndromes but also other risk factors, such as microbiome alteration, antibiotic exposure, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory bowel disease. EOCRC tends to be diagnosed later than in the older counterpart because of a lack of awareness and the fact that screening for CRC usually starts at the age of 50. Furthermore, CRC in young adults seems to be related to unique molecular features and more aggressive clinical behavior. This paper aims to provide an in-depth review of this poorly understood subject, with a comprehensive review of the state of the art and considerations for future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary cancer syndromes are inherited disorders caused by germline pathogenic variants (PVs) that lead to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, frequently at an earlier age than in the rest of the population. The germline PVs promote cancer development, growth and survival, and may represent an ideal target for the personalized treatment of hereditary tumors. PARP inhibitors for the treatment of BRCA and PALB2-associated tumors, immune checkpoint inhibitors for tumors associated with the Lynch Syndrome, HIF-2α inhibitor in the VHL-related cancers and, finally, selective RET inhibitors for the treatment of MEN2-associated medullary thyroid cancer are the most successful examples of how a germline PVs can be exploited to develop effective personalized therapies and improve the outcome of these patients. The present review aims to describe and discuss the personalized systemic therapies for inherited cancer syndromes that have been developed and investigated in clinical trials in recent decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]