Young patients with colorectal cancer have increased risk of second primary cancers

Do treatment patterns differ in those with early-onset colorectal cancer?

BACKGROUND

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is increasing. International guidelines state that treatment should not differ from that of older patients. Several studies have shown that patients under 50 years are receiving more aggressive treatment, without any survival benefit. We aim to determine if treatment for stages 2 and 3 EOCRC differs from those of late-onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC) patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, population-based, cohort study of the treatment patterns of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Canterbury, New Zealand, from 2010 to 2021 age <50 years, compared to those aged 60-74 years.

RESULTS

A total of 3263 patients were diagnosed with CRC between 2010 and 2021. Following exclusions, we identified 130 EOCRC and 668 LOCRC patients. Stage 2 EOCRC patients are more likely to be offered adjuvant chemotherapy (p = <0.001). Furthermore, EOCRC patients with either stage 2 or 3 disease are more likely to receive multi-agent therapy (p =  <0.01), without any associated increase in survival.

CONCLUSION

EOCRC patients are given more adjuvant chemotherapy, without a corresponding improvement in outcomes, highlighting a potential for increased treatment-related harms, particularly in stage 2 disease. Clinicians should be mindful of these biases when treating young cancer patients and need to carefully consider treatment-related harms.

The incidence of second primary cancer in male and female patients with initial colorectal cancer: a SEER population-based study

BACKGROUND

Second primary cancer (SPC) after primary colorectal cancer (CRC), emerges as a novel challenge for cancer prevention with pronounced differences between female and male patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 140 907 CRC survivors from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program database. Competing risk models and nomograms were constructed to predict the risk of SPCs, which were assessed with the C-Index, calibration and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

The 10-year cumulative incidence of SPC was higher in male than in female CRC survivors. The top five common SPCs in female CRC survivors were colorectal, breast, lung and bronchus, corpus and uterus and pancreatic cancers, while in male were prostate, colorectal, lung and bronchus, urinary cancer and melanoma of the skin. Breast and prostate were the most common sites for the development of SPCs after CRC. Older age, stage I and surgery were common risk factors for SPCs in both female and male. The nomogram for predicting the risk of developing SPC-breast cancer in female patients included age, race, site, histology grade, surgery, chemotherapy and stage. However, the model of predicting SPC-prostate cancer in male patients included age, race, site, size, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and stage. Notably, the nomograms were validated to have a precise discriminative ability, accuracy and clinical effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

The study surveyed the characteristics of CRC survivors with a particular focus on the incidence of SPC. The models could help supervise the development of a second breast or prostate cancer in female or male CRC survivors.

The risk of developing second primary malignancies among colorectal cancer patients

Background: The increasing number of young colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors has led to ongoing concerns about the risk of secondary primary malignancies (SPMs). Here, we intended to comprehensively explore the pooled standardized incidence rates (SIRs) for total and site-specific SPMs in CRC survivors with different restriction to lag period.

Methods: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of science databases were searched to identify any studies reporting the SIRs of SPM following CRC until August 2021. Total and site-specific SIRs with different restriction to lag period were pooled using fixed/random effect models.

Results: A total of 42 full-text publications with more than 1, 524, 236 CRC survivors and 166, 210 SPM patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled data showed an increased SIRs for all SPMs in CRC survivors with different restriction to lag period (no restriction to lag period, SIR = 1.15, 95% CI = [1.08–1.23]; 1-year lag, 1.16 [1.10–1.23]; 5-year lag, 1.18 [1.09–1.28]; 10-year lag, 1.24 [1.11–1.39]). The conclusions were consistent for neoplasms of colorectum, corpus uteri, and small intestine with different restriction to lag period. However, limited evidence was presented for associations between CRC survivors and SPM for prostate, breast (female), ovarian, stomach, urinary bladder, kidney, thyroid, bone and soft tissue.

Conclusion: CRC survivors are associated with an increased risk of SPMs, especially neoplasms of colorectum, corpus uteri, and small intestine. Further studies should explore the risks for these neoplasms in CRC survivors, thus providing the reference for future follow-up care.

Primary ovarian cancer after colorectal cancer: a Dutch nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Women with colorectal cancer (CRC) are at risk not only of developing ovarian metastases, but also of developing a primary ovarian malignancy. Several earlier studies have in fact shown a link between the development of primary ovarian cancer and CRC. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the risk of developing a primary ovarian cancer in women with prior CRC compared to the general population.

METHODS

Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry were used. All women diagnosed with invasive CRC between 1989 and 2017 were included. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and absolute excess risks (AERs) per 10,000 person-years were calculated.

RESULTS

During the study period, 410 (0.3%) CRC patients were diagnosed with primary ovarian cancer. Women with CRC had a 20% increased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to the general population (SIR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.3). The AER of ovarian cancer was 0.9 per 10,000 person-years. The risk was especially increased within the first year of a CRC diagnosis (SIR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.8-3.8) and in women aged ≤ 55 years (SIR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6-2.6).

CONCLUSION

This study found a slightly increased risk of primary ovarian cancer in women diagnosed with CRC compared to the general population. However, this may be partly attributable to surveillance or detection bias. Nevertheless, our findings could be helpful for patient counseling, as CRC patients do not currently receive information concerning the increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Patients with Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Have an Increased Risk of Second Primary Malignancy

BACKGROUND

While overall colorectal cancer (CRC) rates in the USA are declining, the incidence of early-onset CRC (eoCRC) under age 50 is increasing. The aim of this study was to examine the risk of a second primary malignancy (SPM) in individuals with eoCRC, and how this risk compares to those with late-onset CRC (loCRC).

METHODS

We used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database to examine the risk of SPM after a diagnosis of eoCRC. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were used to estimate the risk of SPM after eoCRC and loCRC in comparison with the risk of malignancy in the general population.

RESULTS

Compared to the general population, individuals with eoCRC, but not loCRC, had an increased lifetime risk of SPM (SIR 1.42, 95% CI 1.37-1.48 and SIR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.02, respectively), and locations at highest risk were the small intestine, ureter, rectum, and colon. The risk of SPM after eoCRC was similar in men and women, but higher in non-whites compared to whites and higher in those with a lower area-level median household income. The risk of SPM following eoCRC was high in the first 5 years after diagnosis (SIR 2.44, 95% CI 2.24-2.66) and, in a birth cohort analysis, was found to be increasing over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with eoCRC have a lifetime risk of SPM nearly 50% higher than the general population. The risk of SPM is highest in the first 5 years after diagnosis and is increasing over time.

Risk of extracolonic second primary cancers following a primary colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to assess the global risk of extracolonic secondary primary cancers (SPCs) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

Studies of SPC in patients with CRC were included if they reported the standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for extracolonic SPCs in patients with CRC compared with the general population. Pooled summary estimates were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 7,716,750 patients with CRC from 13 retrospective cohort studies that reported extracolonic SPC incidence were included. The overall risk of several SPCs was significantly higher in patients with CRC compared with the general population, including cancers of the urinary bladder (pooled SIR 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.33; p = 0.003), female genital tract (1.88, 1.07-3.31; p = 0.03), kidney (1.50, 1.19-1.89; p = 0.0007), thorax (lung, bronchus and mediastinum) (1.16, 1.01-1.32; p = 0.03), small intestine (4.26, 2.58-7.01; p < 0.0001), stomach (1.22, 1.07-1.39; p = 0.003), and thyroid (1.40, 1.28-1.53; p < 0.0001), as well as melanoma (1.28, 1.01-1.62; p = 0.04). There was also a decreased risk of developing cancer of the gall bladder (0.75, 0.60-0.94; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Patients with CRC had a significantly increased risk of extracolonic SPCs compared with the general population. These findings highlight the need to develop research strategies for the management of second primary cancer in patients with CRC.

Risk of Second Primary Malignancies Based on the Histological Subtypes of Colorectal Cancer

Background: Previous studies have revealed an increased risk of second primary malignancies (SPMs) after colorectal cancer (CRC); however, no previous investigation has quantified differences in the risk of SPMs based on the histological subtypes of first primary CRC.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with first primary CRC between 2000 and 2011 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries. The patients were divided into three cohorts: classical adenocarcinoma (CA), mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA), and signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). Standardized incidence ratios were calculated to assess the risk of SPMs among the patients.

Results: Overall risk of SPMs was significantly higher among patients with three histological subtypes of CRC than in the general population. The risk of esophagus cancer was significantly increased in SRCC. The risk of small intestine, colon and rectum, and corpus uteri cancers was high in three histological subtypes, with the highest risk observed in SRCC, followed by MA. Increased risks of second stomach, uterus, urinary bladder, kidney, and thyroid cancers were only observed in CA patients, while increased risk of second renal pelvis cancer was limited to MA patients. Furthermore, the high overall risk of SPMs in CA patients persisted regardless of clinicopathological factors. After surgery combined with chemotherapy treatment, CA patients were more prone to developing second small intestine, colon and rectum cancers than those treated with surgery only. A lower second prostate cancer risk was observed in rectal CA patients treated with surgery combined with radiotherapy than in patients treated with surgery only.

Conclusion: The present study revealed that the risk of developing SPMs after CRC varied based on the histological subtypes of the first primary CRC. Although the mechanisms underlying the observed patterns of SPM risk remain unknown, the study provided insights into future cancer surveillance based on the histological subtypes of CRC.

Second primary cancers and recurrence in patients after resection of colorectal cancer: An integrated analysis of trials by Japan Clinical Oncology Group: JCOG1702A

BACKGROUND

Improvements in early detection and treatment have resulted in an increasing number of long-term survivors of colorectal cancer (CRC). For the survivors, second primary cancer and recurrence are important issues; however, evidence for an appropriate surveillance strategy remains limited.This study aimed to investigate the frequency and timing of second primary cancer in patients after surgery for exploring an appropriate surveillance strategy by using an integrated analysis of three large-scale randomized controlled trials in Japan.

METHODS

The eligibility criteria of three trials included histologically confirmed CRC and having received surgery. The timing, site and frequency of second primary cancers and recurrence were investigated. Risk factors associated with second primary cancers were also examined. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of second primary cancers compared with the national database of the Japan Cancer Registry was estimated.

RESULTS

A total of 2824 patients were included in this study. The cumulative incidence of second primary cancer increased over time. The SIR of any second primary cancer was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.94-1.21). The SIR for second primary cancers of colon was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.79-1.47). The cumulative incidence of recurrence almost reached plateau at 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

A common surveillance strategy for the general population can be applied even for curatively resected CRC patients, as the risk of second primary cancers was almost the same as that of the general population.

Excessive risk of second primary cancers in young-onset colorectal cancer survivors

With an increasing trend of patients with young-onset colorectal cancer (CRC), risks of second primary cancers (SPCs) among them become a concerning issue. We aimed to define the detailed risk and site-distributed patterns of SPCs in young CRC individuals (age ≤50). A population-based cohort were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 1973 and 2013. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and absolute excess risk (AER) were calculated to assess the risk for SPCs compared with the general population. A total of 44,106 patients, including 3245 (7.4%) the young and 40,861 (92.6%) the old, developed 50,679 secondary malignancies subsequently. With increased age, the risk of secondary cancers gradually decreased. A significant 44% excess risk of SPCs was observed in the young (SIR = 1.44, AER = 34.23), while a slightly increased risk was noted in the old (SIR = 1.02, AER = 4.29). For young survivors, the small intestine (SIR = 8.49), bile ducts (SIR = 3.77), corpus, and uterus (SIR = 2.45) were the most common sites of SPCs. Significantly, excess SIRs in the young were persisted regardless of other factors. For the young, secondary cancer-related deaths were responsible for 51.2% of overall deaths and secondary stomach, liver and bile, pancreas cancers were top three causes. An excessive risk of SPCs existed in young CRC survivors, and this trend was consistent among different subgroups. We hope our findings may inform future targeted screening strategies among young-onset CRC survivors.

The risk and survival outcome of subsequent primary colorectal cancer after the first primary colorectal cancer: cases from 1973 to 2012

Background

Among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors, how the prior tumor location affects the risk of subsequent primary colorectal cancer (SPCRC) and the outcome of those suffering from SPCRC remain unknown.

Methods

CRC cases diagnosed from 1973 to 2012 were screened for SPCRC development using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The relative risk of SPCRC was estimated using the standardized incidence ratio. Survivals were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression model.

Results

The overall risk of SPCRC increased by 27% in CRC survivors compared to that of the general population. The risk increased in patients with both prior right colon cancer (RCC) and left colon cancer (LCC), and was concentrated in the first 5 years after the prior diagnosis, and among young patients. Among the 6701 SPCRC patients identified, patients with prior RCC were more likely to be elderly, female, and with more low or undifferentiated disease than those with prior LCC or rectal cancer (ReC). The overall survivals differed by both prior tumor location (P < 0.0001) and age (P < 0.0001), and the difference by tumor location remained significant when adjusted or stratified by any other potential prognostic factor except age. The cancer specific survivals differed by age (P < 0.0001) rather than by prior tumor location (P = 0.455).

Conclusions

The overall risk of SPCRC increased among patients with both prior RCC and LCC, but not among those with ReC. The different survival outcomes in CRC survivors suffering from SPCRC were largely explained by the patient age but not by the prior tumor location.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3765-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Colorectal cancer in cases of multiple primary cancers: Clinical features of 59 cases and point mutation analyses

The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and clinical features of cases of multiple primary cancers including colorectal cancer (MPCC). The medical records of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who underwent surgery at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (Changsha, China) between August 2007 and August 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with MPCCs were identified and mutation analyses were performed on colon specimens. The results revealed that among 1,311 patients with CRC, 59 had MPCC (including 35 cases of ≥1 CRC with ≥1 other cancer type, and 24 cases with multiple CRCs and no other primary cancers). Foci occurred on the right side of the colon (n=32), in the rectum (n=28), and on the left side of the colon (n=24). MPCCs were synchronous in 24 patients, metachronous in 32 patients, and both in 3 patients. Age of onset and presence of polyps were identified as significantly different between MPCC and CRC overall (P<0.05); however, sex or adenoma incidence were not observed to differ significantly between groups. Mutation incidence rates in 26 specimens were 11.54% for KRAS proto-oncogene GTPase (KRAS) G13D, 3.85% for KRAS Q61R and 3.85% B-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase V600E. Mutations of exon 21 of the epithelial growth factor receptor gene, including L858R and L861Q, and of KRAS G12V were not detected. In conclusion, the likelihood of occurrence of MPCC is closely associated with the age of onset and the presence of polyp(s). Routine examination of multiple systems is necessary for patients with CRC to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Further study is required to demonstrate the molecular mechanism of CRC in cases of multiple primary cancers.

Risk of subsequent primary malignancies among patients with prior colorectal cancer: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

The site-distribution pattern and relative risk of subsequent primary malignancies (SPMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains to be determined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-based cohort of 288,390 CRC patients diagnosed between 1973 and 2012 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was retrospectively reviewed. Standardized incidence ratios were calculated to estimate the relative risk for SPMs.

RESULTS

The overall risk of SPMs increased in CRC patients (standardized incidence ratio 1.02) in the first 5 years after CRC diagnosis compared with that in the general population, and was negatively related to age at diagnosis. Risk increased significantly for cancers of the small intestine, ureter, colorectum, renal pelvis, endocrine system, and stomach, and decreased significantly for cancers of the gallbladder, liver, myeloma, and brain, as well as lymphoma. Patients with different prior CRC subsites showed specific sites at high risk of SPM. Prior right-sided colon cancer was associated with cancers of the small intestine, ureter, renal pelvis, thyroid, stomach, pancreas, and breast and prior left-sided colon cancer associated with secondary CRC, whereas rectal cancer was associated with cancers of the vagina, urinary bladder, and lung.

CONCLUSION

Risk of SPMs increases in CRC survivors, especially in the first 5 years after prior diagnosis. Intensive surveillance should be advocated among young patients, with specific attention to the small intestine, colorectum, renal pelvis, and ureter. The common sites at high risk of SPM originate from the embryonic endoderm. Genetic susceptibility may act as the main mechanism underlying the risk of multiple cancers.