Colon cancer and diverticula: a single-institution experience

Abstract

Dear Sir, We read with great interest the recent article by Read [1]. He hypothesized the possible protective role of diverticula against colon cancer. He underlines that damage to the colonic extracellular matrix from hernial disease is conducive to diverticulosis, but hostile for cancer. Herein, we want to present our experience in our outpatient clinic. Four hundred and thirty-five consecutive patients who had had total colonoscopy due to several indications during 2009 were included in the study. Thirty-five patients had colonic diverticula. Twenty-four patients had colon cancer. Two of the patients had both colon cancer and diverticula. Interestingly, a tumor was observed in the rectum of both of these patients. Additionally, one of them is an ex-smoker and the other still smokes. We agree with Read on the possible protective role of colonic diverticula against colonic malignancy, but there may be some other factors that remain to be elucidated, for example, smoking habit.