The risk of colorectal cancer increases with cancer of the endometrium

The risk of colorectal cancer increases with cancer of the endometrium
Endometrial cancer is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer but not breast cancer, according to a study published in the April issue of «Obstetrics & Gynecology».

The study found that age-standardized incidence of colorectal cancer in women with endometrial cancer was 0.7%, which corresponds to lower risk, but significantly higher than the risk to 0.2% observed in the general population, said Dr. Janice C . Kwon (Janice S. Kwon) (University of British Columbia, Canada) and colleagues.

The results also showed that the frequency of diagnosis of colorectal cancer during the screening, as well as breast cancer was approximately two times higher in women with endometrial cancer, compared with other women.

To evaluate the occurrence of secondary malignant neoplasms during the observation period in women with endometrial cancer history, the team analyzed the data of Dr. Kwon 3473 women who were diagnosed with malignant tumors in Ontario, Canada, from 1996 to 2000. None of the women had no history of breast cancer or colon cancer.

The frequency of five-year relapse rate and overall survival in the cohort were 15.0% and 79.3%, respectively. Follow-up is usually provided by family physicians.

Although the probability of developing colorectal cancer was higher in the patients included in the study than in the general population, the risk of breast cancer was not increased. Age-standardized prevalence of rule of breast cancer in both groups (with a history of endometrial cancer and without) were identical, 0,5%.

Frequency of screening for breast cancer and colorectal cancer in the studied group was 64.0% and 30.0%, respectively, compared with the norms of 31,0% and 15,0% in the general population.