The role of appendectomy and cholecystectomy in the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinomas

• Published in: Annals of medicine and surgery Vol. 72; p. 102991
• Main Authors: Mándi, Miklós, Keleti, György, Juhász, Miklós
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Appendectomy; Carcinogenesis; Cholecystectomy; Cohort Study; CRC (Colorectal carcinoma); Cholecystectomy; EESzT; Appendectomy; RCC; CRC; LC; CRC (Colorectal carcinoma); LCC; Carcinogenesis; BMI; CRC, Colorectal carcinoma; BMI, Body mass index; LC, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; LCC, Left-sided colon cancer; EESzT, National Electronic Health Service Space; RCC, Right-sided colon cancer
• ISSN: 2049-0801; 2049-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102991

Several alterations in the gastrointestinal tract which occur after appendectomy or cholecystectomy have been suggested to raise the risk of developing colorectal carcinoma. Given the frequency that these procedures are performed, we sought to determine whether a history of either cholecystectomy or appendectomy increased the risk of future colorectal carcinoma. We determined the number of patients with a history of appendectomy and cholecystectomy who developed colorectal carcinoma between January 2018 and February 2021, as well as the latency time between the two diseases. Secondly, we carried out a data-collection spanning 15 years after the primary surgery (January 2005–December 2006). The post-cholecystectomy state is significantly more frequently observed in patients treated for colorectal carcinomas (both male and female), especially among those who developed right-sided or left-sided colon cancer, as opposed to anorectal cancer (p = 0.53). However, the time elapsed between the two diseases is 20–25 years, which appears to be markedly long regarding such a multifactorial disease as the colorectal carcinoma. No similar extra risk was observed among patients having appendectomy. Secondly, we found no extra risk during the first 15 years after cholecystectomy. Although a statistically higher risk of colon cancer is observed after the removal of the gallbladder, but the latency time is long. Thus, cholecystectomy may not be an independent risk factor for colorectal carcinogenesis. Altogether, the patient is not exposed to a higher risk of colorectal carcinogenesis after having cholecystectomy. Retrospective study•Cholecystectomy is a risk factor for CRC in male and female, and for tumors of the right and the left side of the colon.•Appendectomy was not significantly associated with an increased risk of developing CRC.•The time between CRC and cholecystectomy is significantly shorter than that after appendectomy, yet more than 20 years. Retrospective cross sectional study•The risk for CRC was not significantly elevated compared to varicectomy, hernia repairs or appendectomy over 15 years.