Risk of second primary colorectal cancer among colorectal cancer cases: a population-based analysis

Risk factors for metachronous colorectal cancer and advanced neoplasia following primary colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Identifying risk factors for metachronous colorectal cancer (CRC) and metachronous advanced neoplasia could be useful for guiding surveillance. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate risk factors for metachronous CRC and advanced neoplasia.

METHODS

Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials for articles (searching period: 1945 to Feburary, 2021) that reported the results of an association between any factor and metachronous advanced neoplasia or metachronous CRC. There were no restrictions on the publication date or language. Random effects models were fitted to estimate the combined association between the risk factors and metachronous CRC or advanced neoplasia. The Risk of Bias In Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions tool (ROBINS-I) was used to assess the risk of bias of included studies.

RESULTS

In total, 22 observational studies with 625,208 participants were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Of these, 13 studies investigated risk factors for metachronous CRC and 9 for advanced neoplasia. The risks of metachronous CRC or advanced neoplasia were higher if the first CRC was diagnosed in the presence of a synchronous advanced lesion (pooled risk ratio (RR) from 3 studies: 3.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44-9.05; and pooled RR from 8 studies: 2.77, 95% CI: 2.23-3.43, respectively). The risk of metachronous CRC was lower, but the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia was higher if the first CRC was distal (compared with proximal) (pooled RR from 3 studies: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23-0.98; and pooled RR from 2 studies: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.60-5.58 respectively). The risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia increased with age (pooled RR from 3 studies: 1.07 per year of age, 95% CI: 1.03-1.11). There was no evidence that any lifestyle risk factors studied were associated with the risk of metachronous CRC or advanced neoplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified risk factors for metachronous CRC and advanced neoplasia might be useful to tailor the existing surveillance guidelines after the first CRC. There were potential limitations due to possible misclassification of the outcome, confounding and risk of bias, and the findings cannot be generalised to high-risk genetic syndrome cases.

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.

Detection and Yield of Colorectal Cancer Surveillance in Adults with PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome

Colorectal cancer surveillance (CCS) with colonoscopy every five years is advised for PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (PHTS) patients aged ≥40 due to an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, data to support CCS guidelines are scarce and available CRC risks are low (0-5% at age 50) and likely overestimated. We aimed to assess the detection and yield of CCS for PHTS patients without a CRC history. A retrospective cohort study including PHTS patients aged ≥40 with CCS at a PHTS expertise centre between 2011 and 2022. Adenomas with a ≥10 mm size, (tubulo)villous histology, or high-grade dysplasia were considered advanced. During 67 follow-up years, 37 patients (median age 47 years) underwent 61 colonoscopies. CCS yielded no CRCs. Adenomas were diagnosed in 13/37 (35%) patients during 23/100 colonoscopies (95% CI: 14-36), including one advanced adenoma. Baseline adenoma detection rates were similar to follow-up and higher in patients aged above 50 (50/100, 95% CI: 24-76) vs. age 50 or below (11/100, 95% CI: 3-30; p = 0.021). The low CRC and advanced adenoma yield allow for a more personalised surveillance program. Following our findings combined with literature on CRC risk and progression, we suggest starting CCS at age 40 with variable follow-up intervals between 1 and 10 years depending on previous colonoscopy findings.

Extent of Surgical Resection in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Associated Colorectal Cancer: a Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

The extent of surgical resection in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who develop colorectal cancer (CRC) is not prescribed by guidelines. We aim to evaluate, at a population level, the association of extent of surgical resection with survival outcomes.

METHODS

Using a validated Ontario registry of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, we identified patients who underwent colorectal cancer resection between 2007 and 2015. Patient, tumor, and treatment factors, including type of surgical resection, were collected. Resections were grouped as segmental, total colectomy, and proctocolectomy. Multivariable cox proportional hazard regression was performed to identify factors associated with survival, including extent of surgical resection.

RESULTS

Between 2007 and 2015, 84,694 patients had resections for CRC in the province of Ontario, 599 had ulcerative colitis (UC), and 366 had Crohn's disease (CD). Segmental resection was the most common operation performed and was more common in CD patients compared to UC (68% vs. 45.6%, p < 0.001). Five-year survival was 63.7% (95% CI 59.5-67.7) in UC patients and 57.5% (95% CI 51.9-62.7) in CD patients (p = 0.033). Multivariable analysis showed worse survival in patients undergoing total colectomy, compared to segmental resection [HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.31-2.21), p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in survival between patients undergoing segmental resection and proctocolectomy [HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.78-1.27)]. This pattern was similar within the subtypes of IBD.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of IBD-associated CRC, segmental resection and proctocolectomy are associated with similar survival outcomes in both UC and CD patients. Prospective study is essential to explore these findings.

The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on the Second Primary Malignancies in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Introduction

All colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors have an increased risk of developing second primary malignancies (SPMs). The association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the risk of cancer is well known. However, the role of DM and its therapy in the development of SPMs in CRC patients is not well described.

Methods

In this single-institutional retrospective analysis we identified 1,174 colorectal carcinoma patients, median follow-up 10.1 years, (median age 63 years, 724 men). All patients over 18 years with histologically confirmed CRC who were admitted in the period 1.1. 2003- 31.12.2013 and followed-up till 31.12. 2018 at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute (MMCI) were screened for eligibility. The exclusion criteria were CRC diagnosed at autopsy, lost to follow-up and high risk of development of SPMs due to hereditary cancer syndrome. Tumours are considered multiple primary malignancies if arising in different sites and/or are of a different histology or morphology group. Comparisons of the basic characteristics between the patients with SPM and the patients without SPM were performed as well as comparison of the occurrence of SPMs by the site of diagnosis between the DM and non-DM cohorts and survival analyses.

Results

A SPM was diagnosed in 234 (20%) patients, DM in 183 (15%) patients. DM was diagnosed in 22.6% of those with SPM vs. in 13.8% of those without SPM (p=0.001). The most common types of SPMs in DM patients were other CRC, kidney, lung, bladder and nonmelanoma skin cancer, but only carcinoma of the liver and bile duct tracts was significantly more common than in the group without DM. Although breast cancer was the second most common in the group with DM, its incidence was lower than in the group without DM, as well as prostate cancer. A significantly higher incidence of SPMs was found in older CRC patients (≥ 65 years) and in those with lower stage colon cancer and DM. No significant difference in DM treatment between those with and without a SPM was observed including analysis of type of insulin.

Conclusion

CRC patients with diabetes mellitus, especially those with older age, and early stages of colon cancer, should be screened for second primary malignancies more often than the standard population. Patients without DM have longer survival. According to the occurrence of the most common second malignancies, a clinical examination, blood count, and ultrasound of the abdomen is appropriate, together with standard breast and colorectal cancer screening, and lung cancer screening under certain conditions, and should be recommended in CRC survivors especially in patients with intercurrent DM, however the necessary frequency of screening remains unclear.

Unexplained neoplastic anastomotic recurrence after right hemicolectomy: a case report

Background

Anastomotic recurrences of the colon are postulated to arise due to inadequate margins, tumor implantation by exfoliated cells, altered biological properties of bowel anastomosis, and missed synchronous lesions. In this paper, a case of unexpected early local recurrence after surgery for colon cancer is presented.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old Caucasian man underwent right hemicolectomy for invasive G2 adenocarcinoma. Two months later, endoscopy revealed a wide and well-functioning anastomosis with a hyperemic, hard, and thickened mucosal area of about 2 cm in diameter. Biopsies showed the presence of an adenocarcinoma with the same grading of the previous lesion. Ten days later, the patient underwent a new intervention; the last 10 cm of the ileum and half of the remaining transverse colon were resected, and the patient started adjuvant therapy. Specimen examination confirmed the presence of an adenocarcinoma (G2) penetrating the muscular layer of the wall; also, in this case, resection edges were free from tumoral invasion, and the removed lymph nodes were exempt from neoplastic colonization. The patient was seen in follow-up for about 5 years, and he did not show local or systemic manifestations.

Conclusions

Whenever a neoplastic recurrence on the anastomotic line occurs, in the presence of negative intestinal margins, as usual in right colectomies, the implantation of neoplastic cells could be the possible cause.

Oncogenic Features in Histologically Normal Mucosa: Novel Insights Into Field Effect From a Mega-Analysis of Colorectal Transcriptomes

INTRODUCTION:

Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy that can be cured when detected early, but recurrence among survivors is a persistent risk. A field effect of cancer in the colon has been reported and could have implications for surveillance, but studies to date have been limited. A joint analysis of pooled transcriptomic data from all available bulk RNA-sequencing data sets of healthy, histologically normal tumor-adjacent, and tumor tissues was performed to provide an unbiased assessment of field effect.

METHODS:

A novel bulk RNA-sequencing data set from biopsies of nondiseased colon from screening colonoscopy along with published data sets from the Genomic Data Commons and Sequence Read Archive were considered for inclusion. Analyses were limited to samples with a quantified read depth of at least 10 million reads. Transcript abundance was estimated with Salmon, and downstream analysis was performed in R.

RESULTS:

A total of 1,139 samples were analyzed in 3 cohorts. The primary cohort consisted of 834 independent samples from 8 independent data sets, including 462 healthy, 61 tumor-adjacent, and 311 tumor samples. Tumor-adjacent gene expression was found to represent an intermediate state between healthy and tumor expression. Among differentially expressed genes in tumor-adjacent samples, 1,143 were expressed in patterns similar to tumor samples, and these genes were enriched for cancer-associated pathways.

DISCUSSION:

Novel insights into the field effect in colorectal cancer were generated in this mega-analysis of the colorectal transcriptome. Oncogenic features that might help explain metachronous lesions in cancer survivors and could be used for surveillance and risk stratification were identified.

Second Primary Malignancies in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis

Purpose

This study aimed to profile the characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with a second primary malignancy (SPM) and to identify patients with CRC at high risk of developing SPMs.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data on patients with CRC aged 20–79 years from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Eligible patients were categorized into only one primary malignancy and SPM cohorts. A competing‐risk model was used to quantify associations between SPM occurrence and the multiple traits of patients. Finally, a decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the model by calculating net benefit.

Results

A total of 179,884 patients were identified, 18,285 (10.2%) of whom developed SPMs during a maximum follow‐up of approximately 18 years. The median survival time after the second diagnosis was less than 4 years. The 3‐year, 5‐year, and 10‐year cumulative risks of developing an SPM were 3.9%, 5.9%, and 10.0%, respectively. According to the multivariable competing‐risk model, male colon cancer survivors, older in age, with a well‐differentiated tumor and localized disease, who were treated with surgery were susceptible to SPMs. The DCA yielded a wide range of risk thresholds at which the net benefits would be obtained from our proposed model.

Conclusion

CRC survivors remain at high risk of developing SPMs. Patients with a second diagnosis of cancer showed not only significantly worse survival but also higher cancer‐specific mortality. A web‐based individualized predictive tool was also provided to assist clinicians in identifying patients at high risk of developing SPMs and planning their future care management.

Implications for Practice

Colorectal cancer survivors remain at high risk of developing a second primary malignancy (SPM). This study aimed to profile the characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer with second primary malignancies and to further explore the risk factors related to the development of second primary malignancies, using a large population‐based cohort. A clinically useful competing‐risk nomogram was developed to predict the risk of SPMs based on individual clinical factors. According to the findings, older age, male sex, white or black race, localized disease, and treatment with surgery among patients with colon cancer were associated with an increased risk of developing an SPM. These findings and the proposed tool could be useful to clinicians and caregivers in the clinical counseling of patients with colorectal cancer and the development of long‐term care management.

Little is known about the factors that contribute to the development of a new malignancy among colorectal cancer survivors. This study aimed to comprehensively profile the characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer with a second primary malignancy and, further, to identify patients at high risk for developing a second primary malignancy.

Adjuvant Radiation Survival Benefits in Patients with Stage 1B Rectal Cancer: A Population-based Study from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result Database (1973-2010)

Introduction

Rectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in the United States. Currently, total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard therapy for patients with T2N0 (stage IB) rectal cancer. Whether adjuvant radiation therapy provides a survival benefit to these patients or exposes them to unnecessary toxicity remains controversial and unproven to date. This study examined a large cohort of Stage 1B rectal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection and received adjuvant radiation in order to determine the demographic, clinical, and pathologic factors impacting prognosis and survival.

Methods

Demographic and clinical data on 4,054 Stage 1B rectal cancer patients were abstracted from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database (1973-2010). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v20.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) using the chi-square test, paired t-test, multivariate analysis, and Kaplan-Meier functions.

Results

Among 4,054 patients with stage IB rectal cancer, 2,364 (58.3%) had surgery only, 1,477 (36.4%) received combination surgery and radiation (CSR), 139 (3.4%) received radiation only, and 74 (1.8%) received no therapy. Most stage IB patients in the surgery only and CSR groups were male (65.8 and 64%) and Caucasian (78.2% and 74.2%), p<0.001. Patients receiving CSR were younger than those undergoing surgery alone (63 vs. 69 years, p<0.001). More tumors in the CSR group were 2-4 cm (53.6%), followed by > 4 cm (24%), while fewer were <cm (22.4%). Histologically, most of the tumors in the CSR group were moderately differentiated (83.5%) and adenocarcinoma NOS (95.5%), followed by poorly (9.3%) and mucinous adenocarcinoma (4.5%), well-differentiated (6.8%), and undifferentiated (0.4%). Overall survival was prolonged in the CSR group compared to the surgery-only group (5.85 years vs. 5.44 years, p<0.001), although cancer-specific survival did not differ (6.33 years vs. 6.42 years, p=0.143). Multivariate analysis identified age>60 (OR 2.4), poorly differentiated (OR 1.7) or undifferentiated grade (OR 2.6), and tumor size >2 cm (OR 1.5) as independently associated with increased mortality in the CSR group (p<0.05) while female gender conferred a survival advantage (OR 0.8), p<0.01.

Conclusions

In the current cohort, CSR was utilized most often in young male Caucasian patients presenting with less advanced disease as compared to other treatment groups. The overall survival is prolonged and overall mortality is lower in patients receiving CSR; however, increased cancer-related mortality with the use of CSR implies that survival benefits may be attributable to favorable non-tumor-related factors such as age, gender, and race. CSR should not replace surgery alone as the standard of care for all Stage IB rectal cancer patients at this time. However, all T2N0 rectal cancer patients should be enrolled in randomized control trials to allow for more defined multimodality management to optimize clinical outcomes for these patients.

Gamma-Irradiated Chrysin Improves Anticancer Activity in HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells Through Mitochondria-Related Pathway

Irradiation technology can improve the biological activities of natural molecules through a structural modification. This study was conducted to investigate the enhancement of the anticancer effects of chrysin upon exposure to gamma irradiation. Gamma irradiation induces the production of new radiolytic peaks simultaneously with the decrease of the chrysin peak, which increases the cytotoxicity in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. An isolated chrysin derivative (CM1) exhibited a stronger apoptotic effect in HT-29 cells than intact chrysin. The apoptotic characteristics induced by CM1 in HT-29 cells was mediated through the intrinsic signaling pathway, including the excessive production of included reactive oxygen species, the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, regulation of the B cell lymphoma-2 family, activation of caspase-9, 3, and cleavage of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase. Our findings suggest that CM1 can be a potential anticancer candidate for the treatment of colon cancer.

Risk of Synchronous and Metachronous Colorectal Cancer: Population-Based Estimates in Denmark with Focus on Non-Hereditary Cases Diagnosed After Age 50

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The risk of synchronous and metachronous colorectal cancer is influenced by heritable and environmental factors. As a basis for comparative studies, we provide population-based estimates of synchronous and metachronous colorectal cancer with a focus on non-heritable cases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on data from national Danish cancer registers, we estimated the proportion of synchronous colorectal cancer and the incidence rates and risks for metachronous colorectal cancer in 28,504 individuals, who developed 577 metachronous colorectal cancer above age 50.

RESULTS

Synchronous colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 1.3% of the cases. The risk of metachronous colorectal cancer was associated with sex, tumor location, and age with the strongest influence from the latter. The incidence rate ratios for metachronous colorectal cancer ranged from above 6 in patients below age 65 to <1-3.2 in patients above age 65. The absolute risk of metachronous colorectal cancer was ⩾10% in patients below age 65 and 1.0%-8.0% in patients above age 65.

CONCLUSION

Individuals who develop sporadic, non-inherited colorectal cancer above age 50 are at a significantly increased risk of metachronous colorectal cancer with risk estimates that are strongly affected by age. This observation underscores the need for development of targeted surveillance in the most common clinical subset of colorectal cancer.

Do Patients with Second Primary Colorectal Cancer Hold the Similar Prognosis and Therapeutic Benefits as Those with Initial Primary Colorectal Cancer?

Aim

The objective is to compare the differences on prognosis and the therapeutic benefits between initial and second primary colorectal cancer (pCRC).

Methods

A dataset containing 377,271 initial pCRC cases and 18,617 second pCRC cases from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 1988-2015 was evaluated. Survival comparisons were made using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the survival benefits.

Results

The cancer-specific survival rate of patients with initial pCRC was significantly higher than that of patients with second pCRC (5-years survival rate: 64.85% vs. 60.22%, P<0.001). The Chi-square of stratified log rank for age at diagnosis was lower than that for primary site, pTNM stage, sex, race, histology, and grade (Chi-square=86.73). There were almost no differences on therapeutic benefits between patients with initial and second pCRC except that treatments with chemotherapy were significantly associated with longer survival rate compared with treatments without chemotherapy among stage III surgical initial and second primary left-sided colon cancers patients (HR=0.764 vs. 0.581; P for interaction =0.008).

Conclusion

Patients with second pCRC have worse prognosis than those with initial pCRC primarily because of older age in the former group. The results evidenced that the therapeutic benefits on the prognosis for colorectal cancer were generally similar between patients with initial and second pCRC.

Subsite heterogeneity in the profiles of circulating cytokines in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancers (CRCs) are treated as one entity but are in fact a heterogeneous group of diseases. If not addressed, subsite-associated variability may interfere with mechanism-targeted therapies and accuracy of potential CRC biomarkers. Little is known about the contribution of systemic inflammatory and immune mediators to subsite heterogeneity in CRC. Our purpose was to compare the profiles of key cytokines between right and left colonic and rectal CRCs. Using Luminex xMAP® technology, serum concentrations of eotaxin, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12(p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IFNγ, IP-10, FGF-2, G-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1α and β, PDGF-BB, RANTES, TNFα, and VEGF-A were determined in 104 CRC patients. We found the concentrations of IL-12(p70), IL-10, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, G-CSF and TNFα to be significantly higher in right-sided and GM-CSF in left-sided than rectal CRCs. The concentrations of IFNγ and MIP-1α were significantly higher in right-sided CRCs as compared to cancers of other locations combined. In turn, MIP-1β was higher in rectal CRCs as compared to colon cancers. Taken together, our results show subsite heterogeneity of CRC cancers in terms of systemic inflammatory and immune responses that ought to be taken into account when attempting immunotherapy or developing biomarkers. Additionally, more pronounced T_H2 response accompanied by T_H1 immunity and more prominent tumor-promoting inflammation in CRC patients with primary tumors originating from right-sided colon may constitute a molecular background of unfavorable prognosis associated with this location.

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.

Methodological choices affect cancer incidence rates: a cohort study

Background

Incidence rates are fundamental to epidemiology, but their magnitude and interpretation depend on methodological choices. We aimed to examine the extent to which the definition of the study population affects cancer incidence rates.

Methods

All primary cancer diagnoses in Sweden between 1958 and 2010 were identified from the national Cancer Register. Age-standardized and age-specific incidence rates of 29 cancer subtypes between 2000 and 2010 were calculated using four definitions of the study population: persons resident in Sweden 1) based on general population statistics; 2) with no previous subtype-specific cancer diagnosis; 3) with no previous cancer diagnosis except non-melanoma skin cancer; and 4) with no previous cancer diagnosis of any type. We calculated absolute and relative differences between methods.

Results

Age-standardized incidence rates calculated using general population statistics ranged from 6% lower (prostate cancer, incidence rate difference: -13.5/100,000 person-years) to 8% higher (breast cancer in women, incidence rate difference: 10.5/100,000 person-years) than incidence rates based on individuals with no previous subtype-specific cancer diagnosis. Age-standardized incidence rates in persons with no previous cancer of any type were up to 10% lower (bladder cancer in women) than rates in those with no previous subtype-specific cancer diagnosis; however, absolute differences were <5/100,000 person-years for all cancer subtypes.

Conclusions

For some cancer subtypes incidence rates vary depending on the definition of the study population. For these subtypes, standardized incidence ratios calculated using general population statistics could be misleading. Moreover, etiological arguments should be used to inform methodological choices during study design.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12963-017-0120-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Activation for Health Management in Colorectal Cancer Survivors and Their Family Caregivers

Activation, the state of possessing the skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage one's own health, is associated with positive self-management behaviors in individuals with chronic illness. Little is known about its role in cancer survivorship. The aims of this study were to describe activation in patients with colorectal cancer and their family caregivers, examine the relationship between patient and caregiver activation, and determine whether activation is related to symptom distress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, physical activity, and work productivity. Using a longitudinal, correlational design, a convenience sample of 62 patients and 42 family caregivers completed surveys during postoperative hospitalization, and at 6 weeks and 4 months postop. Activation scores for both patients and caregivers were stable over time, were not correlated, and were at the third level of activation. Linear mixed effects models revealed that negative emotions were associated with less patient activation and lower caregiver self-efficacy for caring for oneself.

Colorectal Cancer Incidence Among Young Adults in California

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has decreased over the past three decades, due largely to screening efforts. Relatively little is known about CRC incidence among the young adult (YA) population ages 20-39, as screening typically commences at age 50 for average-risk individuals. We examined CRC incidence with a focus on YAs in order to identify high-risk subgroups. Methods: We analyzed 231,544 incident CRC cases from 1988-2009 (including 5617 YAs 20-39 years of age) from the California Cancer Registry. We assessed age-specific incidence rates by race/ethnicity, gender, and colorectal tumor location, and calculated the biannual percent change (BAPC) to monitor change in incidence over the 22-year study period. Results: The absolute incidence of CRC per 100,000 was low among YAs 20-29 and 30-39 years old (ranging from 0.7 per 100,000 among Hispanic and African American females aged 20-29 up to 5.0 per 100,000 among Asian/Pacific Islander males aged 30-39). However, we observed increasing CRC incidence rates over time among both males and females in the YA population, particularly for distal colon cancer in Hispanic females aged 20-29 (BAPC=+15.9%; p<0.042). Conclusion: The absolute incidence of CRC remains far lower for YAs than among adults aged 50 and over. However, CRC incidence is increasing among young adults, in contrast to the decreasing rates observed for adults in the screened population (aged 50 and above). More research is needed to better characterize YAs at increased risk for CRC.

Anastomotic Recurrence of Colon Cancer-is it a Local Recurrence, a Second Primary, or a Metastatic Disease (Local Manifestation of Systemic Disease)?

The aim of this study is to review the literature to find out the exact etiology of anastomotic cancers of colon post resection and differentiate them between a recurrence, second primary, and metastatic disease (local manifestation of systemic disease). Web-based literature search was done, and datas collected. We searched PubMed for papers using the keywords colon cancer recurrence, anastomotic recurrence, and recurrent colon carcinoma. We also searched for systematic review in the same topic. In addition, we used our personal referrence archive. Anastomotic recurrences of colon are postulated to arise due to inadequate margins, tumor implantation by exfoliated cells, altered biological properties of bowel anastomosis, and missed synchronous lesions. Some tumors are unique with repeated recurrence after repeated resection. Duration after primary surgery plays a major role in differentiating recurrent and second primary lesions. Repeated recurrences after repeated resections have to be considered a manifestation of systemic disease or metastatic disease due to the virulence of the disease. A detailed analysis and study of patients with colonic anastomotic lesion are required to differentiate it between a recurrent, a second primary lesion, and a metastatic disease (local manifestation of a systemic disease). The nomenclature is significant to study the survival of these patients, as a second primary lesion will have different survival compared to that of recurrent lesions.

Anatomic subsite of primary colorectal cancer and subsequent risk and distribution of second cancers

BACKGROUND

Individuals with a history of colorectal cancer (CRC) have an increased risk of subsequent cancer. In this study, the authors used cancer registry data to evaluate whether this increased risk of cancer after CRC differed by anatomic subsite of a first CRC.

METHODS

Individuals diagnosed with a first primary CRC between 1992 and 2009 were identified from 12 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registries. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by comparing the incidence of subsequent cancers in these patients who had an index CRC versus the cancer incidence rates in the general population. SIRs were calculated for cancers at anatomic sites within and outside the colorectum in analyses stratified by subsite of the index CRC.

RESULTS

Cancer incidence rates were significantly higher in individuals who had a previous CRC than in the general population (SIR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.13-1.16). Individuals with an index CRC located between the transverse and descending colon experienced the greatest increased risk both overall (SIR, 1.29-1.33) and particularly with respect to the risk of a second CRC (SIR, 2.53-3.35). The incidence of small intestinal cancer was elevated significantly regardless of the index CRC subsite (SIR, 4.31; 95% CI, 3.70-4.77), and the incidence of endometrial cancer was elevated in those who had an index CRC in the proximal colon (SIR, 1.37-1.79).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of second cancer after CRC differs by anatomic site of the first tumor and is particularly pronounced for those with prior CRC located in the transverse to descending colon. The mechanisms underlying this pattern of second cancer risk remain unknown.

Second primary cancers in subsites of colon and rectum in patients with previous colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Compared with the general population, patients with a previous colorectal cancer are at higher risk for a second colorectal cancer, but detailed risk analysis by subsite is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to investigate the risk of a second cancer in relation to subsite as a basis for planning surveillance strategies.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS

This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively designed, population-based cancer registry (The Netherlands Cancer Registry). Patients with a stage I, II, or III colorectal cancer diagnosed between 1989 and 2008 were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cumulative incidence, standardized incidence ratio, and absolute excess risk for second primary cancers in subsites of the colon and rectum were estimated for follow-up periods of 2 to 5, 6 to 10, and more than 10 years after the index cancer in patients older than 50 years and in those aged 50 years or younger.

RESULTS

A total of 123,347 patients had a first invasive colorectal cancer diagnosed between 1989 and 2008. Of these, 1849 patients (1.5%) had a second colorectal lesion that was found more than 1 year after the initial cancer and diagnosed as a second primary colorectal cancer. In patients older than 50 years, the 20-year cumulative incidence for second cancers was 3.4% in the proximal colon, 1.2% in the distal colon, and 1.2% in the rectum. More than 60% of second cancers occurred within 5 years after the index cancer. The standardized incidence ratio was highest in the proximal-colon (1.9; 95% CI, 1.8-2.0), followed by the distal-colon (1.0, 95% CI, 0.9-1.1), and the rectum (0.9, 95% CI, 0.8-1.0). The corresponding absolute excess risks per 10 000 person years were 9 in the proximal colon, 0.1 in the distal colon, and 1 in the rectum. After 5 years of follow-up, elevated risk was observed only in the proximal colon. A similar risk pattern was observed in patients younger than 50 years. The absolute excess risk for a second cancer in the proximal colon increased over time. The proportion of stage III and stage IV second cancers increased from 31% during the first 5 years of follow-up to 38% after 10 years of follow-up.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations of this study included lack of data regarding polypectomy rates and interval of surveillance colonoscopies.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the general population, individuals with previous colorectal cancer have a higher risk for a second cancer in all subsites of the colon and rectum. Among long-term survivors older than 50 years, risk remains elevated only in the proximal colon. Further studies should be encouraged to develop a suitable surveillance method for aging, high-risk, long-term colorectal cancer survivors.

High constant incidence of second primary colorectal cancer

Patients who had a colorectal cancer have a 1.5- to 2-fold excess risk of a second colorectal cancer as compared to the general population, the excess being higher at younger age at diagnosis. To further investigate the risk and the age-relation of the incidence of second primary colorectal cancer, we considered 9,389 first colon and rectal cancers registered in the Vaud Cancer Registry, Switzerland, between 1974 and 2008, and followed-up to the end of 2008 for a total of 44,113 person-years. There were 136 second colorectal cancers versus 90.5 expected, corresponding to a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.3-1.8). The SIRs were not heterogeneous between men and women, and in strata of calendar year at diagnosis, duration of follow-up, and subsite. However, the SIR was 7.5 (95% CI 4.2-12.4) for subjects diagnosed below age 50 and declined thereafter to reach 1.0 (95% CI 0.6-1.6) at age 80 or over. Consequently, the incidence of second primary colorectal cancer was stable, and exceedingly high, around 300-400/100,000 between age 30-39 and 70 or over. This age pattern is consistent with the existence of a single mutational event in a population of highly susceptible individuals.

Multiple primary cancers among colorectal cancer survivors in Queensland, Australia, 1996-2007

PURPOSE

To quantify the demographic and clinical factors associated with an increased risk of multiple primary cancers (MPCs) among colorectal cancer survivors.

METHODS

Standardized incidence ratios for MPCs were calculated for residents of Queensland, Australia, who were diagnosed with a first primary colorectal cancer between 1996 and 2005 and survived for at least 2 months. Relative risk ratios were calculated for all MPCs combined and selected individual sites using multivariate Poisson models.

RESULTS

A total of 1,615 MPCs were observed among 15,755 study patients. The cohort had a significant excess risk of developing subsequent colorectal (SIR = 1.47, 95 % CI 1.30-1.66) or non-colorectal (SIR = 1.24, 95 % CI 1.18-1.31) cancers relative to the incidence of cancer in the general population. Age at initial diagnosis, follow-up time, initial colorectal subsite, and surgical treatment were independently associated (p < 0.01) with the overall risk of developing MPCs after adjustment. The relative risk ratio was 1.23 (95 % CI 1.07-1.41) for those aged 20-59 years compared with the 70-79 age group and 0.82 (95 % CI 0.72-0.92) for 1-5-year follow-up relative to the first year. The likelihood of being diagnosed with a MPC was 33 % higher (95 % CI 1.12-1.56) for surgically treated patients and 45 % higher (95 % CI 1.29-1.64) after proximal colon cancers relative to rectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

While these population-based results do not incorporate all possible risk factors, they form an important foundation from which to further investigate the etiological causes that result in the development of MPCs among colorectal cancer survivors.

Population-based evaluation of adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon and rectum

BACKGROUND

Information about adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon and rectum is scarce because of its extremely low incidence.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic significance of a histological diagnosis of adenosquamous carcinoma in comparison with adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum.

DESIGN

This study was retrospective in design.

SETTING

California Cancer Registry data from 1994 through 2004 with follow-up through 2008 were analyzed.

PATIENTS

Patients were included whose cancer of the colon and rectum, excluding the anus with a tumor histology of adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma, was surgically treated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured were histology-specific survival analyses (with the use of the Kaplan-Meier method), and overall and colorectal-specific mortality (with the use of multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses).

RESULTS

A total of 111,263 adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of colon and rectal cancer cases were identified (adenocarcinoma, 99.91%; adenosquamous carcinoma, 0.09%). There was no significant difference in sex, age, race, and socioeconomic status between the 2 groups. The most common location of adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma was the right and transverse colon. The adenosquamous carcinoma group was significantly associated with a higher rate of metastasis at the time of operation (adenosquamous carcinoma, 36.56% vs adenocarcinoma, 13.92%) and with poorly differentiated tumor grade (adenosquamous carcinoma, 65.96% vs adenocarcinoma, 19.74%) in comparison with the adenocarcinoma group. The median overall survival time was significantly greater in the adenocarcinoma group (82.4 months) in comparison with the adenosquamous carcinoma group (35.3 months). With the use of multivariable hazard regression analyses, adenosquamous carcinoma histology was independently associated with increased overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.67) and colorectal-specific mortality (hazard ratio, 1.69) in comparison with adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the largest studies of adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon and rectum to date. This uncommon colorectal cancer subtype was associated with higher overall and colorectal-specific mortality in comparison with adenocarcinoma. Among colorectal cancer cases, adenosquamous carcinoma histology should be considered a poor prognostic feature.

Identification and chemoprevention in subjects at moderate risk of colorectal cancer

The risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) depends on both genetic factors and lifestyle-related factors. Chemoprevention's true contribution is dependent on lifetime CRC risk. There are clinical situations where chemoprevention for CRC is undoubtedly useful. There are other situations where the risk of CRC seems to be only moderately increased and in these situations, the true contribution of chemoprevention is questionable. A few specific studies assessing the effect of chemopreventive agents in these situations are available. In the present article, we will try to better define these particular situations and discuss the risk quantification and the expected chemoprevention contribution.