Are colorectal cancer survivors at risk of hormonal and metabolic disease?

This study investigated the short- and long-term occurrence of hormonal and metabolic disorders in colorectal cancer survivors. Researchers suggested that the occurrence of these types of disorders was higher in these patients.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. With current screening and treatment strategies, the number of survivors increases. Therefore, it is important to know the long-term outcomes and risks for these patients.

Hormonal and metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes are risk factors for colorectal cancer. Moreover, these disorders have continued to rise in cancer survivors. Prior studies showed that diabetes greatly increases the risk of recurrence (when the cancer comes back) and death in colorectal cancer survivors. However, it is still not clear how other hormonal and metabolic disorders affect the short- and long-term outcomes of these patients.

This study included a total of 7114 colorectal cancer survivors. They were compared to 25979 people who did not have colorectal cancer (controls). They were evaluated for hormonal or metabolic disorders. The follow-up periods were between 1 to 5 years, 5 to 10 years and more than 10 years.

Across all 3 follow-up periods, the rate of hormonal and metabolic disorders was increased in colorectal cancer survivors when compared to the general population. The risk of having diabetes was 36% higher in these patients between 1 and 5 years after diagnosis. In the same follow-up period survivors also had a 40% increased in the risk of obesity. The risk of obesity was 50% higher between 5 to 10 years after diagnosis in colorectal cancer survivors.

Other hormonal or metabolic disorders colorectal cancer survivors were at risk for were thyroid disease, immunity disorders or low minerals in the blood.

This study concluded that colorectal cancer survivors have a higher risk of experiencing hormonal and metabolic disorders up to 10 years after diagnosis.