Prostate Cancer Linked with Precancerous Colon Polyps

Men with prostate cancer should have routine screening colonoscopies, experts say.

Research shows that men diagnosed with prostate cancer had significantly more abnormal colon polyps, known as adenomas, and advanced adenomas than men without prostate cancer.

Results of the research were presented at an American College of Gastroenterology meeting.

"Our study is the first to show that men with prostate cancer are at increased risk of developing colon cancer, and that it is especially important for these men not skip their routine colonoscopies," says gastroenterologist Ognian Pomakov, M.D., of the University of Buffalo and an author of the study.

Abnormal polyp rate higher

Although most adenomas are benign and don't become cancerous, evidence exists that most colon cancers begin as adenomas. Advanced adenomas carry an even higher risk for colorectal cancer.

"Colon cancer and prostate cancer are two of the most common cancers in males," says Dr. Pomakov. "However there are no published clinical studies to date that determined the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in people with prostate cancer."

The study involved 2,011 men who had colonoscopies at the Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The researchers reviewed patient records, colonoscopy reports, and pathology reports.

They also looked at data on the prevalence of adenomas, advanced adenomas, cancerous adenomas, and their location within the colon.

The study compared the colonoscopy findings of 188 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer with the findings of the rest of the patients, who served as a control group.

Results show that prostate cancer patients had significantly higher prevalence of abnormal polyps and advanced adenomas, compared with the other participants.

Forty-eight percent of prostate cancer patients had adenomas, compared with 30.8 percent of controls, and 15.4 percent had advanced adenomas, compared with 10 percent of the men without prostate cancer.

Timing screenings after prostate cancer

"Our study findings suggest that patients with prostate cancer should definitely get their screening colonoscopy on time," says Dr. Pamakov. "In light of the limited resources of health care systems, a priority should be given to such patients for colonoscopy screening.”

He also suggests that further studies should determine if screening for colorectal cancer should begin earlier than the currently recommended age of 50 for men with prostate cancer.

Talk with your health care provider for more information