Study: Colorectal Carcinoid Tumors Linked to Increased Risk of Other Cancers

Patients with colorectal carcinoid tumors have an increased risk of developing other malignancies, according to researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

Researchers developed a comprehensive evaluation to assess the risk of second cancers in patients with colorectal carcinoids using a search of the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database from 1973 to 1996. They found 2,086 patients with colorectal carcinoids who were then examined for occurrence of second cancers.

Patients with colorectal carcinoids had an increased rate of cancer in the colon and rectum, small bowel, esophagus/stomach, lung/bronchus, urinary tract, and prostate, when compared with a control group, according to their report in the journal Diseases of the Colon and Rectum.

Researchers concluded, "A significantly increased risk of synchronous colorectal, small-bowel, gastric, and esophageal cancers and metachronous lung, prostate, and urinary tract neoplasms is clearly demonstrated."

"After the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoid tumors, patients should undergo appropriate screening and surveillance for cancer at these sites," recommended the researchers.

Other Sources: Diseases of the Colon and Rectum