Colorectal Cancer Risk in Cholelithiasis and after Cholecystectomy in Northern Greece

P. Katsinelos, B. Papaziogas, I. Pilpilids, G. Paroutoglou, S. Dimiropoulos, P. Tsolkas, I. Galanis,; E. Kamperis, Olga Giouleme, A. Papagiannis, N. Eugenidis

Authors P. Katsinelos, B. Papaziogas, I. Pilpilids, G. Paroutoglou, S. Dimiropoulos, P. Tsolkas, I. Galanis,, E. Kamperis, Olga Giouleme, A. Papagiannis, N. Eugenidis.

Abstract

SUMMARY
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible
correlation between cholelithiasis or cholecystectomy and
colorectal carcinoma.
Methods: 400 consecutive patients with colorectal carcinoma
(CRC group) were compared with 400 consecutive patients
suffering from carcinoma of the breast (BC group) for the
incidence of cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy.
Results: The group of the patients with colorectal carcinoma
included 176 men and 224 women with a mean age of 60
years (2483 years), while the group of patients with
carcinoma of the breast comprised 400 women with a mean
age of 55 years (2576). The incidence of cholelithiasis and
cholecystectomy was significantly higher in the CRC group
(23% vs 11%, p <0.01 and 16% vs 3%, p <0.001 respectively).
The elapsed time between cholecystectomy and diagnosis
of malignancy was 13.5±10.25 years for the CRC group and
23±15.7 years for the BC group. No statistically significant
correlation was noted concerning the incidence of cholelithiasis
and gender of the patients or location of the tumor.
Conclusion: We conclude that the incidence of cholelithiasis
or cholecystectomy is significantly higher in patients with
colorectal carcinoma, implying a possible pathogenetic
correlation between these two conditions. Our data showed
no correlation between location of the tumor or gender of
the patients and incidence of cholelithiasis.Key words: cholelithiasis, cholecystectomy, colorectal carcinoma,
breast cancer.