Metabolic syndrome linked to colon and rectal cancer in men

Union of International Cancer Control World Cancer Congress

There was an association between metabolic syndrome and colon and rectal cancers in men, but this association was not observed in women, according to the findings of a study.

To assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and its components and colon and rectal cancers, the researchers analyzed data from a multicenter case-controlled study conducted in Italy and Switzerland. They examined 1,378 cases of colon cancer, 878 cases of rectal cancer and 4,661 controls.

Colorectal cancer risk was elevated in men (OR=1.86) but not in women (OR=1.13) with metabolic syndrome.

The OR was 2.09 in men and 1.15 in women with at least three components of metabolic syndrome vs. no components. Findings were similar when colon and rectal cancers were analyzed separately, according to the researchers.

For each component of metabolic syndrome, the OR for colorectal cancer in men was 1.27 for diabetes, 1.24 for hypertension, 1.14 for hypercholesterolemia and 1.26 for overweight when aged 30 years. The OR for women was 1.2 for diabetes, 0.87 for hypertension, 0.83 for hypercholesterolemia and 1.06 for overweight when aged 30 years.

These findings weigh in favor of a combined role of factors involved in metabolic syndrome in the etiology of male colorectal cancer, according to the researchers.

Obesity is now shown to be a risk factor for colon cancers (at least in men), as well as for breast cancer in women. The role of high levels of insulin or insulin-like growth factors in insulin-resistant, obese patients may be carcinogenic, as noted by others.

– Harry S. Jacob, MD

Hemonc Today Chief Medical Editor

For more information:

Montella M. Abstract #432. Presented at: Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Congress; Aug. 18-21, 2010; Shenzhen, China.

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