Risk Factor For Cancer Research Articles

Is Colonoscopy Alone Adequate for Surveillance in Stage I Colorectal Cancer?

While colonoscopy is the standard surveillance tool for stage I colorectal cancer according to NCCN guidelines, its effectiveness in detecting recurrence is debated. This study evaluates recurrence risk factors and patterns in stage I colorectal cancer to inform comprehensive surveillance strategies. A retrospective analysis of 2,248 stage I colorectal cancer patients who underwent radical surgery at Samsung Medical Center (2007-2018) was conducted. Exclusions were based on familial history, prior recurrences, preoperative treatments, and inadequate data. Surveillance included colonoscopy, laboratory tests, and CT scans. Stage I colorectal cancer patients showed favorable 5-year disease-free survival (98.3% colon, 94.6% rectal). Among a total of 1,467 colon cancer patients, 26 (1.76%) experienced recurrence. Of the 781 rectal cancer patients, 47 (6.02%) experienced recurrence. Elevated preoperative CEA levels and perineural invasion were significant recurrence risk factors in colon cancer, while tumor budding was significant in rectal cancer. Distant metastasis was the main recurrence pattern in colon cancer (92.3%), while rectal cancer showed predominantly local recurrence (50%). Colonoscopy alone detected recurrences in a small fraction of cases (3.7% in colon cancer and 14.9% in rectal cancer). Although recurrence in stage I colorectal cancer is rare, relying solely on colonoscopy for surveillance may miss distant metastases or locoregional recurrence outside the colorectum. For high-risk patients, we recommend considering regular CT scans alongside colonoscopy. This targeted approach may enable earlier recurrence detection and improve outcomes in this subset while avoiding unnecessary scans for the low-risk majority.

Adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles from obese mice suppressed splenocyte-mediated pancreatic cancer cell death.

Obesity is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer and negatively contributes to the immune system. However, the mechanisms by which obesity mediates these actions are still poorly understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of communication between cells and may influence various aspects of cancer progression. We aim to explore the influence of EVs derived from adipose tissue of obese mice on cytokine production within the interactions between cancer cells and immune cells. We isolated EVs from the adipose tissue of both C57BL6/J mice and Ob/Ob mice. Subsequently, we treated EVs with Panc02 cells, the murine ductal pancreatic cancer cell line, which were co-cultured with splenocytes. Viability and SMAD4 gene expression were examined in Panc02 cells, and cytokine concentrations of IL-6, IL-4, IL-12, and IL-12p70 were measured in the cultured medium. Interestingly, we observed a significant reduction in splenocyte-mediated Panc02 cell death when treated with EVs derived from the adipose tissue of Ob/Ob mice, compared to those from C57BL6/J mice. Additionally, EVs from Ob/Ob mice-derived adipose tissue significantly increased the levels of IL-4, IL-2, and IL-12p70 in the culture media of Panc02 cells co-cultured with splenocytes, compared to EVs from C57BL6/J mice-derived adipose tissue. Adipose tissue-derived EVs from obese mice suppressed splenocyte-mediated Panc02 cell death and upregulated IL-4, IL-2, and IL-12p70 in cultured medium.

Assessment of the Breast Density Prevalence in Swiss Women with a Deep Convolutional Neural Network: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: High breast density is a risk factor for breast cancer and can reduce the sensitivity of mammography. Given the influence of breast density on patient risk stratification and screening accuracy, it is crucial to monitor the prevalence of extremely dense breasts within local populations. Moreover, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding breast density prevalence in Switzerland. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of breast density in a selected Swiss population. Methods: To overcome the potential variability in breast density classifications by human readers, this study utilized commercially available deep convolutional neural network breast classification software. A retrospective analysis of mammographic images of women aged 40 years and older was performed. Results: A total of 4698 mammograms from women (58 ± 11 years) were included in this study. The highest prevalence of breast density was in category C (heterogeneously dense), which was observed in 41.5% of the cases. This was followed by category B (scattered areas of fibroglandular tissue), which accounted for 22.5%. Conclusion: Notably, extremely dense breasts (category D) were significantly more common in younger women, with a prevalence of 34%. However, this rate dropped sharply to less than 10% in women over 55 years of age.

Midkine links aging with breast cancer—A new predictor of cancer risk

Despite aging being one of the strongest risk factors for cancer, little is known about the biological mechanisms that promote tumor initiation. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Yan etal. address this fundamental question in the context of breast cancer and report that midkine is upregulated during the aging process and can promote tumorigenesis.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention in Southern Eastern Europe: A Narrative Review

This narrative review examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to cervical cancer across Southeastern Europe, with a focus on disparities in awareness, prevention efforts, and healthcare access. A comprehensive search of PubMed over the past 12 years was conducted to assess gaps in KAP regarding cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention. The findings revealed significant gaps in KAP, including limited knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors, inadequate attitudes toward screening, and poor preventive practices, such as low participation in screening programs and HPV vaccine uptake. Economic challenges and inconsistent healthcare communication further hinder progress. The review emphasizes the need for targeted public health strategies, focusing on improving education, social mobilization, and access to essential services. Further research is necessary to address sociocultural and economic factors contributing to these gaps and to develop tailored interventions suited to the region's diverse populations.

Environmental Exposures and Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Review

Environmental exposure is increasingly recognized as a significant cancer risk factor. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge regarding the relationship between several environmental factors and the development of cancer. The complicated interactions between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in the etiology of cancer are highlighted in this study by looking at both known and newly discovered environmental carcinogens. The review covers a broad spectrum of environmental exposures, including occupational risks, dietary and physical activity habits, and toxins in the air and water. It also explores the molecular processes by which these exposures cause cancer, with particular attention to pathways including DNA damage, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes. This review also discusses the differences in cancer risk associated with environmental exposures among various populations, highlighting the necessity of focused preventative and therapeutic measures. The results highlight how crucial it is to implement public health programs and regulatory regulations targeted at lowering environmental carcinogen levels and lessening their influence on the incidence of cancer. Considering an emphasis on developing precision medicine techniques and enhancing environmental health equality, future research directions are suggested further to clarify the complex links between the environment and cancer.

Causal relationship between cancer and immune cell traits: A two-sample mendelian randomization study

BackgroundObservational studies provide evidence of correlations between cancer and the immune system. Previous research has established associations between immune traits and the propensity for developing certain cancers. However, a systematic exploration of these connections remains largely uncharted. Therefore, further investigation is needed to examine the causal association between cancer and immune cell traits using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. MethodsWe identified genetic instruments for breast cancer (BC), lung cancer (LC), endometrial cancer (EC), ovarian cancer (OC), prostate cancer (PC), and their subtype cancers to investigate their potential causal impact on immune traits. Data on cancer and immune cell traits were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project. To assess whether these five cancer types and subtype cancers have a causal association with immune cell traits, we conducted two-sample MR analyses. Additionally, we conducted bidirectional MR analyses to examine the direction of causal relationships and adjusted for potentially related pleiotropy through multivariable MR analysis. ResultsWe have identified several causal relationships between different types of cancer and immune traits. We found that breast cancer may influence 49 immune cell traits, endometrial cancer may influence 38, lung cancer may influence 25, ovarian cancer may influence 19, and prostate cancer may influence 28. Among these, breast cancer and lung cancer were associated with four common immune traits: CD25 on IgD− CD38dim, CD25 on sw mem, CD24 on IgD− CD38−, and CD25 on IgD− CD38−. Lung cancer and prostate cancer shared four immune traits: CD25 on IgD+ CD24+, CD25 on IgD+ CD38−, CD66b on CD66b++ myeloid cell, DN (CD4−CD8−) AC. Endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer shared two immune traits: TD DN (CD4−CD8−) %DN, EM DN (CD4−CD8−) %DN. Breast cancer and endometrial cancer shared one immune trait: CD20 on IgD− CD38dim. Endometrial cancer and prostate cancer shared one immune trait: CCR2 on myeloid DC. Lastly, breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer shared one immune trait: CD25 on CD24+ CD27+. Additionally, we identified specific immune traits that may serve as protective or risk factors for cancers. We found 14 immune traits may influence breast cancer, 9 immune traits may influence endometrial cancer, 22 immune traits may influence lung cancer, 9 immune traits may influence ovarian cancer, and 14 immune traits may influence prostate cancer. Among these, breast cancer and prostate cancer shared three immune traits: HLA DR++ monocyte %monocyte, HLA DR on plasmacytoid DC, and HLA DR on DC. Lung cancer and ovarian cancer shared one immune trait: CD62L− monocyte %monocyte. Prostate cancer and endometrial cancer shared one immune trait: HLA DR on CD33dim HLA DR + CD11b+. Lastly, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer shared one immune trait: CD3 on resting Treg. ConclusionsOur MR study suggests a potential relationship between immune traits and cancers, particularly highlighting 14 immune traits that are simultaneously influenced by two or three of five cancer types, while also indicating that 6 immune traits may simultaneously contribute to the development of two of the cancers. This elucidation enables us to reveal a significant involvement of immune traits in cancer progression, providing critical insights into how immune traits affect cancer susceptibility.

Measurement of Radiation Doses in Computed Tomography and Estimated Radiological Risk factor of Cancer - Libya

The aim of this study is to evaluate the radiation doses received by adult patients undergoing six common routine types of CT scans in Libya. These types cover the Head, Neck, Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis and Trunk. This work consists of measurements of (191) patients examinations in (1) government Hospital. The average doses area CTDIvol Volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol ) and dose-length product (DLP) were measured for each patient for each examination. The corresponding average effective doses were calculated from the DLP measurement for each scan using NRPP X-Dose software online. The risk rate of developing cancerous tumors as a results of exposure to radiation doses during diagnostic medical applications was also measured using a CT scanner, and the results were compared with these derived from similar surveys published by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR, 2000,2007). Current measurements will provide a useful starting point and baseline for setting National diagnostic reference levels for the first time. These results can be used in the future to evaluate the populations collective dose of medical exposure and risk of cancer from CT Scan applications.

Identification of proteins' expression pathway and the effective miRNAs for the treatment of human papillomavirus-induced cervical cancer: in-silico analyses-experimental research.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. The risk factors for cervical cancer include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, age, smoking, number of pregnancies, use of oral contraceptives, and diet. However, long-term HPV infection appears to be the main risk factor for developing cervical cancer. This in-silico analysis aims to identify the expression network of proteins and the miRNAs that play a role in the development of HPV-induced cervical cancer. The critical proteins and miRNAs were extracted using the DisGeNET and miRBase databases. String and Gephi were applied to the network analysis. The GTEx web tool was utilized to Identify tissue expression levels. The Enrichr website was used to explore the molecular function and pathways of found genes. Ten proteins, TP53, MYC, AKT1, TNF, IL6, EGFR, STAT3, CTNNB1, ESR1, and JUN, were identified as the most critical shared gene network among cervical cancer and HPV. Seven miRNAs were found, including hsa-mir-146a, hsa-mir-27, hsa-mir-203, hsa-mir-126, hsa-mir-145, hsa-mir-944, and hsa-mir-93, which have a common expression in cervical cancer and HPV. Overall, the gene network, including TP53, MYC, AKT1, TNF, IL6, EGFR, STAT3, CTNNB1, ESR1, and JUN, and Also, hsa-mir-145, hsa-mir-93, hsa-mir-203, and hsa-mir-126 can be regarded as a gene expression pathway in HPV-induced cervical cancer.

Clinical relationships between the intratumoral microbiome and risk factors for head and neck cancer

A bioinformatic analysis is a promising approach to understand the relationship between the vast tumor microbiome and cancer development. In the present study, we studied the relationships between the intratumoral microbiome and classical clinical risk factors using bioinformatics analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Cancer Microbiome Atlas (TCMA) datasets involving HNSCC patients. We used TCMA database and investigated the abundance of microbes at the genus level in solid normal tissue (n=22) and the primary tumors of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (n=154) and identified three major tumor microbiomes, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, and Streptococcus. The tissue level of Fusobacterium was higher in primary tumors than in solid normal tissue. However, univariate and multivariate analyses of these 3 microbes showed no significant effects on patient survival. We then extracted 43, 55, or 59 genes that were differentially expressed between the over and under the median groups for Fusobacterium, Prevotella, or Streptococcus using the criteria of >2.5, >1.5, or >2.0 fold and p<0.05 in the Mann-Whitney U-test. The results of a pathway analysis revealed the association of Fusobacterium- and Streptococcus-related genes with the IL-17 signaling pathway and Staphylococcus aureus infection, while Prevotella-associated pathways were not extracted. A protein-protein interaction analysis revealed a dense network in the order of Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, and Prevotella. An investigation of the relationships between the intratumoral microbiome and classical clinical risk factors showed that high levels of Fusobacterium were associated with a good prognosis in the absence of alcohol consumption and smoking, while high levels of Streptococcus were associated with a poor prognosis in the absence of alcohol consumption. In conclusion, intratumoral Fusobacterium and Streptococcus may affect the prognosis of patients with HNSCC, and their effects on HNSCC are modulated by the impact of drinking and smoking.

Cross-Sectional Study on the Correlation Between Vaginal Microecology and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection: Establishment of a Clinical Prediction Model.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is a significant risk factor for cervical precancerous lesions and cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vaginal microecology and HR-HPV infection and to evaluate the clinical applicability of vaginal microecology in predicting HR-HPV infection. Overall, 2000 women with simultaneously detected vaginal discharge and cervical HPV were selected between March 2022 and March 2023, including 241 and 1759 cases in the HR-HPV positive and HPV negative groups, respectively. No significant differences were found in age, vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomonas vaginitis, and β-N-acetylglucosaminosidase between the two groups (P>0.05). Significant differences were observed in Lactobacillus deficiency, bacterial vaginitis (BV), aerobic vaginitis (AV), glucuronidase (GUS), sialidase (SNA), and leukocyte esterase (LE) between the two groups (P<0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression equation, Lactobacillus deficiency, BV, AV, SNA, LE, and GUS were risk factors for HR-HPV infection (P<0.05). Three prediction models, namely, logistic regression, decision tree, and random forest, were established to rank the importance of the predictors. BV ranked first among the three prediction models. The logistic regression model demonstrated the highest accuracy in predicting the risk of HR-HPV infection. The calibration curve of the logistic regression model showed a strong correlation between the predicted and actual probabilities, and decision curve analysis revealed that the prediction model had good clinical applicability. Overall, vaginal microecology imbalance was closely associated with cervical HR-HPV infection, particularly BV and AV. The logistic regression model for the risk of HR-HPV infection based on six predictive factors (BV, AV, LE, SNA, Lactobacillus deficiency, and GUS) had good accuracy and clinical applicability.

Development and Evaluation of Project Management Training for Cancer Research in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Globally, there were 19.3 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer deaths, with the African continent contributing approximately 1.1 million new cases and over 700,000 deaths to the global cancer burden in 2020. High quality research is required to understand the etiology and risk factors for common cancers in the region to develop context specific strategies aimed at minimizing the future cancer burden in Africa. Our study addresses a significant gap in the knowledge and resources available for training a project management (PM) workforce for cancer research in Africa. We developed and evaluated a training program to strengthen the research capacity of project managers involved in cancer research in Africa. This workshop was held in collaboration with the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP) Consortium. The PM working group of the MADCaP Consortium had previously developed a project manager toolkit to provide a structured approach to PM for cancer research in Africa. We implemented and evaluated this training toolkit in a hybrid workshop in Nigeria. Among 29 participants from 10 African institutions, PM skills improved after training by 16.6% compared with pretraining levels. In a 1-year follow-up survey, training skills remained better (80.8%) than before the training (70.8%). The training program successfully upskilled the trainees with a significant improvement in knowledge of PM practices including planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of projects. The majority (80%) reported an excellent training experience. PM skills training can be successfully implemented in Africa with long-term retention of knowledge geared toward developing a workforce critical for the implementation of cancer research in the region.

A New Approach to Ultra-Low Anterior Resection-Intersphincteric Dissection With Total Hiatal Ligament Excision for Very Low Rectal Cancer Located in the Posterior Wall of the Rectum: A More Satisfactory Technique for Local Recurrence Control.

The hiatal ligament, as the anatomical landmark for the completion of total mesorectal excision (TME) for ultra-low rectal cancer, represents a continuation of the longitudinal muscle of the rectum. It receives vascular supply from the median sacral artery and contains lymphatic vessels. In cases where ultra-low rectal cancer is located in the posterior rectal wall, the hiatal ligament may theoretically serve as an anatomical region susceptible to direct tumor cell spread or distant metastasis. To evaluate the effect of circumferential tumor location (CTL) on postoperative survival of low rectal cancer and to determine the effect of total hiatal ligament excision (THLE) on the prognosis of patients with posterior rectal cancer. Patients with ultra-low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery between March 2014 and October 2021 were enrolled in this study. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients in the posterior group and the non-posterior group. Prognostic factors were identified using COX regression. PSM analysis was also used in the posterior tumor subgroup to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients in the hiatal ligament traditional transection (HLTT) and THLE groups. After PSM, OS, and DFS were comparable between the posterior and non-posterior groups. Similarly, no difference was noted in the local recurrence rate between the two groups (p = 0.23). The prognosis of ultra-low rectal cancer was not affected by CTL. However, the local recurrence rate was significantly lower in the THLE group compared with the HLTT group (p = 0.023). Multivariate analysis of the posterior group identified CRM, TNM stage III, and HLTT as independent risk factors for local recurrence-free survival. CTL is not a prognostic risk factor for low rectal cancer. In posterior wall tumors, THLE significantly reduces the local recurrence rate for low rectal cancer.

EP.04C.06 Investigation on the Incidence and Risk Factors of Lung Cancer Among Chinese Hospital Employees

EP.04C.06 Investigation on the Incidence and Risk Factors of Lung Cancer Among Chinese Hospital Employees

Effect of Radon Inhalation on Murine Brain Proteins: Investigation Using Proteomic and Multivariate Analyses.

Radon is a known risk factor for lung cancer; however, it can be used beneficially, such as in radon therapy. We have previously reported the enhancement of antioxidant effects associated with trace amounts of oxidative stress as one of the positive biological effects of radon inhalation. However, the biological effects of radon inhalation are incompletely understood, and more detailed and comprehensive studies are required. Although several studies have used proteomics to investigate the effects of radon inhalation on body proteins, none has focused on brain proteins. In this study, we evaluated the expression status of proteins in murine brains using proteomic and multivariate analyses to identify those whose expressions changed following two days of radon inhalation at a concentration of 1,500 Bq/m3. We found associations of radon inhalation with the expressions of seven proteins related to neurotransmission and heat shock. These proteins may be proposed as biomarkers indicative of radon inhalation. Although further studies are required to obtain the detailed biological significance of these protein alterations, this study contributes to the elucidation of the biological effects of radon inhalation as a low-dose radiation.

Metabolic obesity phenotypes and thyroid cancer risk: A systematic exploration of the evidence.

Obesity is recognized as a risk factor for various cancers, including thyroid cancer. However, the association between different metabolic obesity phenotypes and thyroid cancer risk remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively evaluate the existing literature to elucidate the association between metabolic obesity phenotypes and thyroid cancer risk. This systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies until April 2024. Studies examining the link between metabolic obesity phenotypes and thyroid cancer risk were included. Five cohort studies involving 831,510 participants met the inclusion criteria. Metabolically unhealthy obesity was consistently associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer in both men and women. Central adiposity emerged as a significant predictor of thyroid cancer risk. Mechanistically, chronic inflammation, dysregulated adipokine secretion, hormonal imbalances, and altered signaling pathways may contribute to thyroid carcinogenesis. There is an ongoing debate regarding the risk associated with metabolically healthy obesity, with some suggesting potential protective effects due to favorable metabolic profiles. This systematic review highlights the complex relationship between metabolic obesity phenotypes and thyroid cancer risk. The findings highlighted the importance of considering metabolic status alongside obesity in thyroid cancer risk assessment and intervention strategies.

New Formulations of Acyclothymidine Dinucleosides Reduce Damaging Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation in an Ex Vivo Skin Model.

The greatest risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Among the three types of solar radiation (UVA, UVB, UVC), UVB rays are most commonly associated with skin cancer. UVB exposure promotes the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in the DNA of cells in the epidermal skin layers, which can lead to mutations as DNA repair machinery attempts to repair the damage. These mutations can lead directly to skin carcinogenesis. Previous studies in animal and in human ex vivo skin models have shown that topical application of acyclothymidine dinucleosides protects DNA from UV-induced damage by preventing the formation of CPDs and helps initiate repair through the activation of DNA repair enzymes. Here we review the biological evidence leading to the development and formulation of ProteXidineTM (Topix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Amityville, NY), as a UV protective agent for topical human application. We also provide clinical data pertaining to four ProteXidineTM formulations (test materials 1-4) tested for their abilities to reduce CPDs in an ex vivo human skin tissue model. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(11):953-956. doi:10.36849/JDD.8420.

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Background: Dyslipidaemia has been proposed as a potential risk factor for breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum lipid profiles and breast cancer among women, comparing lipid levels between breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted at SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, from ethics committee approval until June 2024. The study included 100 breast cancer patients and 100 matched healthy controls. Inclusion criteria were individuals aged 18 years or older with informed consent, while exclusion criteria included critically ill patients, those with malignancies other than breast cancer, and those on lipid-lowering therapy. The lipid profile was assessed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines. Data collection involved clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical analysis of serum lipid levels. Results: The mean age of participants was 48.5 years for the Case Group and 45.92 years for the Control Group. Serum lipid profiles showed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) in breast cancer patients compared to controls, with TC at 197 ± 42.2 mg/dl vs. 174.06 ± 38.46 mg/dl, LDL at 152.65 ± 32.57 mg/dl vs. 121.09 ± 24.56 mg/dl, and TG at 162.12 ± 15.64 mg/dl vs. 138.23 ± 22.99 mg/dl. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) was significantly lower in breast cancer patients (36.0 ± 16.60 mg/dl vs. 50.60 ± 17.64 mg/dl). Subgroup analysis by age showed similar trends across different age groups. No significant differences were observed between premenopausal and postmenopausal women in lipid levels. Conclusion: Elevated serum lipid levels, particularly TC, LDL, and TG, are associated with breast cancer. Monitoring and managing lipid levels may offer potential benefits in breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Spatial analysis of risk factors related to colorectal cancer in Iran: An ecological study.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 10% of cancer deaths. Therefore, this study was performed with the aim of spatial analysis of risk factors for colorectal cancer in Iran. This study was conducted ecologically using STEPS information (The WHO Stepwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance) in Iran. To analyze the data, the researcher used cluster analysis and Geographically Weighted Regression methods with the help of ArcGIS version 10. The results of OLS analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between tobacco consumption (B = 0.571, p-value = 0.044) and smoking (B = 0.772, p-value = 0.010) and the incidence of colon cancer (CC). There was also a significant relationship between abdominal obesity and the incidence of rectal cancer (RC) (B = 0.061, p-value = 0.027). This study showed that (CC) high-risk areas are located in central and northern parts of Iran, and the significant risk factors related to CC and RC were found to be tobacco use, cigarette smoking, and abdominal obesity. These findings are helpful to inform policymakers to plan screening services to reduce CC and RC, especially in high-risk populations.

Clinical significance of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms incidentally detected in patients with extrapancreatic gastrointestinal malignancies with a focus on pancreatic cancer development

BackgroundIntraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is occasionally detected in the preoperative images of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Despite numerous studies examining the incidence of extrapancreatic malignancies in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, limited data exist on the prevalence of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in those with gastrointestinal malignancies. Given that intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in patients who underwent radical surgery for extrapancreatic gastrointestinal malignancies and its impact on pancreatic cancer development. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the preoperative computed tomography images of patients who underwent radical surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies between January 2017 and December 2021 for the presence of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Patients were divided into intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and non–intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm groups, and clinicopathologic features and long-term outcomes, including pancreatic cancer development, were compared between groups. ResultsA total of 814 patients who underwent radical surgery for extrapancreatic gastrointestinal malignancies were included. Among them, 81 patients (10.0%) had intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. The median observation period was 39 (0–79) months. Notably, pancreatic cancer developed in 5 patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and 1 without. The 5-year cumulative incidences of pancreatic cancer were 8.8% and 0.2% in the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and non–intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm groups, respectively (P < .001). ConclusionIntraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is frequently detected in the preoperative images of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies and is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Consequently, long-term surveillance for pancreatic cancer is crucial in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, particularly those with extrapancreatic gastrointestinal malignancies.